Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little dead at 78

Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, who starred for Syracuse University and the NFL’s Denver Broncos, died Friday, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was 78.

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Little had been diagnosed with cancer and had been moved to hospice care in November, ESPN reported.

“Floyd Little was a true hero of the game. He was a man of great integrity, passion and courage,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. “His contributions off the field were even greater than his amazing accomplishments he did on it. Floyd’s smile, heart and character epitomized what it meant to have a Hall of Fame life.”

In a statement, Little’s family said: “The family extends their gratitude to all who have supported Floyd Little and his family during this time with prayers, calls and your heartfelt expressions of love.’'

Little was born July 4, 1942, in New Haven Connecticut. He was a three-time All-American at Syracuse, rushing for 2,750 yards and 35 touchdowns from 1964 to 1966. He also caught four touchdown passes.

The Broncos made Little their first-round pick and the sixth overall in the 1967 AFL-NFL draft.

During his nine-year career in Denver, Little was known as “The Franchise,” rushing for 6,323 yards and 43 touchdowns from 1967 to 1975. He also caught nine TD passes.

The Broncos finished with a winning record just twice in Little’s career, in 1973 and 1974, ESPN reported. But he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and led the AFL in combined yards in 1967 and 1968.

He also became the first player to lead the NFL in rushing while playing for a last-place team, when he collected 1,133 yards in 1971.

“I was so fortunate to know Floyd and witnessed first-hand the impact he had on others,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Whenever he represented the Broncos at the annual NFL draft, others immediately sought to greet him and his genuine excitement of being with his fellow Legends and his pride and passion for the Broncos was unmistakable.

“Football, the Broncos and the NFL were a large part of his life, but nothing could surpass his love and affection for his wife DeBorah and his children, Marc, Christy and Kyra. To them and the entire Little family, we extend our deepest sympathy.”

Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His No. 44 was retired by both Syracuse and the Broncos.

Cox Media Group