Syracuse University, the athletics department and the Orange football program lost a legend and a friend on Jan. 1, 2021 with the passing of Floyd Little.
The 78-year-old Little was born in July 1942 in New Haven, Conn. He is survived by his wife, DeBorah, who was also part of the fabric of the Syracuse University Athletics family and Syracuse community, son, Marc, daughters, Christy and Kyra, and several grandchildren.
"Floyd Little is a Syracuse treasure," said Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack '80. "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."
A three-time All-American for the Orange from 1964-66, 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. Little attended Syracuse University to keep a promise he made to Davis before Davis' untimely passing in 1963. The pair were with Syracuse's Hall of Fame 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.
"Born on the 4th of July, Floyd was an All-American in every way," said NBC Sports on-air personality Mike Tirico '88. "On and off the field he represented the finest of Syracuse. From cementing the legacy of the number 44 to his Hall of Fame pro football career, he was truly one of the greats. But, for so many of us those football accomplishments stand secondary to Floyd the person. Every second around him was a treat. Floyd always had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the room. He loved his school and any of us who were part of the Orange family. I am forever grateful to have been friends with a man who for me was the true definition of a legend."
In three seasons for the Orange, Little rushed for 2,704 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. He was also a standout return man who led the nation in all-purpose yards (1,990) and punt return average (23.5) as a junior in 1965. He still holds the Syracuse career record with six punt returns for touchdowns. The 1966 ECAC Player of the Year, Little finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting twice. Little played in the same Orange backfield as College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Larry Csonka '68 and Tom Coughlin '68, the two-time Super Bowl champion head coach."Leave a legacy that you and your family can be proud of. I've given you the best that I've got, and I'm a better person for it."
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) January 2, 2021
- Floyd Little pic.twitter.com/fBJUAGkUmm
"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," said Syracuse football coach Dino Barbers. "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.
"There are numerous fond memories of Floyd, but one that I appreciate the most is during the weekend of a Spring game, Floyd came back to Syracuse with his teammates, Larry Csonka and Tom Coughlin. They invited me to dinner with them. I watched the teammates rib each other, talk about one another and love each other. It was something I will never forget. I really do appreciate being a part of knowing exactly how close the Syracuse family is and how those three men loved each other and were pulling for each other, not only in everything they have done in football, but all their endeavors in life."
In 2016, Little was presented with an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Syracuse University.
"No one loves Syracuse University as Floyd Little loves Syracuse University. He truly is Mr. Syracuse University," Coughlin said.
Following his college career, Little was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 6 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft. In nine seasons (1967-75) with the Broncos, he amassed more than 12,000 all-purpose yards and was a five-time Pro Bowl selection. Little ranked seventh on the NFL's career rushing list (6,323 yards) at the time of his retirement and was a charter member of the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984. Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His induction into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 marked the 11th hall of fame to recognize Little.
"Floyd was one of a kind on and off the field," said Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim '67. "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."
In 2011, Little returned to his alma mater to serve as special assistant to the director of athletics, a position he held until 2016. The impact he made in his role as an athletics department administrator is immeasurable.
"Floyd was known for football, but he should be known for just being the most common person you could ever meet," said Syracuse Senior Deputy Athletics Director Herman Frazier. "He always had a smile on his face and was always prepared for whatever question he was asked. He served a special role when he was here at Syracuse University. He was here for the student-athletes, the coaches and the staff, in any situation. He is a strong pillar, a strong person, and a strong man. His legacy at Syracuse University will live on forever."
Little provided guidance and advice to student-athletes from all sports. His work enabled him to influence a new generation of student-athletes to work hard and find success.Remembering Floyd: @CoachBabersCuse remembers the legendary Floyd Little. "His smile was contagious and his knowledge was power."
See more: https://t.co/J1HvDBbKOK pic.twitter.com/DgJsgKwUUU
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) January 3, 2021
"Floyd had a way of making you feel special, even if he did not know you very well," said Orange cross country and track & field All-American Justyn Knight '18. "He had a way with his words that made you feel like you meant something to the world and that you were destined for greatness no matter if he knew the path you were on or he didn't. He had a way of encouraging you and letting you know that everything is going to be OK and that everyone has their destiny in life. If it was not for Floyd, and all of the talks we had, my life could have turned out pretty different. He was a like a family member to me, like an uncle.
"I would always use the word 'hope' in our conversations, referring to competitions and being successful. He was one of the people who told me, 'You can't just keep saying, 'I hope to do things.' You have to put it in your mind that you are going to do it and there is no excuse for you not to do it. Stop leaving it to hope and just go out there and do it.' That completely changed my whole outlook when I went to the biggest races like the NCAAs and the World Championships."
"We knew Floyd as a person, as a man, and as someone who really cared for us, regardless of what he accomplished during his career and as a legend at Syracuse University," said former Orange football captain Cameron Lynch '15. "He was the person who guided us when we had troubles. He was very instrumental in my development at Syracuse. I try to emulate the way Floyd approached the day … to bring his whole self, a big smile all the time, a positive attitude, always shaking hands, and always treating people the right way. I learned so much from him. To see him and his legacy and what he left behind is really something to be proud of. I am proud to bleed Orange the way he did. His legacy will live forever."
The Link Lonk
January 03, 2021 at 10:06AM
https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2021-01-02/former-syracuse-football-great-floyd-little-dies-78
Former Syracuse football great Floyd Little dies at 78 - NCAA.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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