Floyd Little, Syracuse football great and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies after battle with cancer at 78

Syracuse football

A three-time All-American for the Orange from 1964 to 1966, Little famously followed Jim Brown and 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis in Syracuse’s “trinity of legendary running backs” who wore the No. 44, per the cuse.com news release.

Little attended Syracuse University to keep a promise he made to Davis before Davis’ untimely passing in 1963, Syracuse said. The pair were with Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder at dinner during a visit to New Haven. Little told Davis he would sign with Syracuse, but he didn’t make if official until the day he learned of Davis’ death a few months later, per the cuse.com news release.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud issued this statement in reaction to Little’s death.

“Floyd Little embodied what it means to be Orange. He was an all-American student-athlete. He set records in the NFL. He achieved success in the business world. Floyd mentored countless student-athletes, and dedicated his time, energy and resources to improving the lives of others. He was a great friend, to me and to his beloved Syracuse University. Our hearts are with his wife DeBorah, and all who loved him. Floyd Little, number 44, will forever be our Orange MVP,” said Syverud.

“Floyd Little is a Syracuse treasure,” John Wildhack, Syracuse University Director of Athletics, said in the cuse.com news release. “The legacy that he leaves here is so much more than just one who wore #44, was an All-American, was in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Floyd’s legacy is that he was a wonderful, wonderful person. He treated everyone with genuine care and respect and was always there for people. His impact as a person is those who he impacted. He was always willing to share his time, his wisdom, his support. His passion for Syracuse University — not just Syracuse Athletics, but the entire University — was inspiring to all of us. It is a legacy that will last forever and will never be replaced. He is someone who leaves a legacy of pure class in every single respect. There was only one Floyd Little and there will never be another one like him.”

During his sophomore year in 1964, Little scored five touchdowns in a game against the Kansas Jayhawks, a team that included the late Gale Sayers, per his football bio on cuse.com.

Little holds the Orange record for career touchdowns (46) and career punts returned for a touchdown (5). Little was named the 1966 ECAC Player of the Year, per his SU bio.

Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

“Floyd was one of a kind on and off the field,” Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim, said in the cuse.com news release. “He could make anybody smile. He could get along with everybody. He made everybody feel good about themselves and everything else. A unique person. A unique personality. It’s hard to try to explain how great of a person Floyd Little was. There is nobody better than Floyd Little in any way, shape or form, on the field or off the field. I don’t think anybody really compares to him. It was a privilege just to know Floyd Little.”

“Floyd’s legacy as a hall of famer, pro and college, on the gridiron, is just as strong off the gridiron with the things he has done in the community and the way he has affected people and their lives,” Syracuse football coach Dino Babers said. “He is the type of person you just cannot forget. His smile is contagious. His knowledge is power. The advice that this man gave you was just a godsend.”

In 2011, Little returned to his alma mater to serve as special assistant to the director of athletics, a position he held until 2016.

Denver Broncos

ESPN Senior Writer Jeff Legwold on Nov. 22 had reported that Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio announced to his players after the team’s 20-13 win over the Miami Dolphins that a game ball would be sent to Little and his family.

Little was the Denver Broncos first round draft pick, sixth player selected overall, in the 1967 AFL-NFL Draft, per Little’s biography on the website of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In all, Little amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and scored 54 touchdowns during his career that spanned from 1967 to 1975, the website says.

As a member of the Denver Broncos, he was selected for five Pro Bowls.