The Denver Broncos honored Floyd Little in a variety of ways on Sunday as the team faced the Las Vegas Raiders, spotlighting the football legend with a moment of silence, a helmet decal and in team meetings over the course of the weekend.
Little died at the age of 78 on Friday and, as news of his death spread on Saturday, remembrances from across the country were shared of Little’s playing career in Syracuse and Denver, as well as the life he lived.
While Little was known locally for helping to solidify the tradition of the number 44 in Syracuse football lore, he was known in Denver as “The Franchise,” a testament to the credibility he brought to a team that had never had any previously.
Denver began its game against Las Vegas with a moment of silence and the Broncos players and coaches wore decals with the number 44 on it during the game.
Mike Klis, a television reporter with Denver’s NBC affiliate, said that Denver head coach Vic Fangio showed the team video highlights of Little’s playing career during the Broncos’ team meeting on Saturday.
Fangio had also sent Little a game ball in November, shortly after Little had begun hospice care, following a win over the Miami Dolphins.
Little was Denver’s first-round pick in the first combined NFL-AFL Draft in 1967, which contributed to him becoming the first first-round pick ever who ever signed to play with the franchise.
Denver’s previous picks had all opted to play in the NFL, and the Broncos had never enjoyed a winning season prior to Little joining the team. His performance provided the team a level of credibility that many think was key to the team growing a fanbase and remaining in Denver long term.
Little played nine NFL seasons, made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fames. He led the NFL in rushing once and all-purpose yards twice, serving as a running, pass-catching and kick return threat for a franchise that was limited on options.
Little’s No. 44 is one of just three numbers that the Denver Broncos have ever retired, along with John Elway’s No. 7 and the No. 18, which was retired for quarterback Frank Tripuka and later worn, with the family’s permission, by Peyton Manning.
Little’s presence is marked throughout Denver’s Mile High stadium. A cutout of Little in his Hall of Fame jacket sits in the stands, which are empty this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, while a gold bust sits outside the stadium in the team’s Ring of Fame Plaza.
Syracuse.com is collecting your favorite Floyd Little memories and interactions. If you have a moment with Little that was meaningful to you and you’re willing to share, please e-mail Chris Carlson at ccarlson@syracuse.com
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Joe Biden, Tom Coughlin, Jim Boeheim, John Elway and Syracuse athletes react to Floyd Little’s death
The Link LonkJanuary 04, 2021 at 05:40AM
https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2021/01/broncos-honor-floyd-little-with-helmet-decal-team-meeting-video-and-moment-of-silence.html
Denver Broncos honor Floyd Little with helmet decal, team meeting video and moment of silence - syracuse.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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