Education
Syracuse University.
television presenter American football player
Syracuse University.
In 1967 he was the 6th selection of the first common American Federation of Labor-Congress-NFL draft. He was the first ever first-round draft pick to sign with the American Football League"s Denver Broncos, where he was known simply as "The Franchise." Little was the only three-time All-American running back to compete for the Syracuse University Orangemen. He would finish 5th in voting in both 1965 and 1966.
1964: 157 carries for 874 yards and 9 Territorial Decoration. 17 catches for 257 yards and 1 Territorial Decoration. 1965: 193 carries for 1065 yards and 14 Territorial Decoration. 21 catches for 248 yards and 1 Territorial Decoration. 1966: 162 carries for 811 yards and 12 Territorial Decoration. 13 catches for 86 yards and 2 Territorial Decoration. In 1975, Little retired as the NFL"s 7th all-time leading rusher with 6,323 yards rushing and 54 total touchdowns (rushing, receiving and returns).
He also threw a Territorial Decoration pass to receiver Jerry Simmons in a 1972 upset over the Oakland Raiders. During his rookie year, Little led the NFL in punt returns with a 16.9-yard average.
He led the NFL in combined yards in 1967 and 1968. Little was Denver Broncos team captain all 9 seasons, including his rookie season.
Little was the first player to lead his conference in rushing for a last place team and the 13th player ever in professional football to rush for at least 1,000 yards in one season.
He was an American Football League All-Star in 1968, named first-team "All-American Federation of Labor-Congress" in 1969, and made the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl in 1970, 1971 and 1973. At 5"10" and 195 pounds, Little was the smallest back to lead the league in rushing since World World War World War II He led the league in combined yards in 1967 and 1968 and was the only player to return punts for TDs in both seasons. During a 6-year period, 1968–1973, Little rushed for more yards and more yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) than any RB in the NFL. In 2009 Little was a finalist for induction into the Hall of Fame.
He was voted in on February 6, 2010, his induction took place in Canton, Ohio on August 7, 2010.
Little finished 40th in his class of 140 at the University of Denver law school, from which he received his masters in legal administration degree in 1975. Little owned automobile dealerships in Denver, the Seattle area and Santa Barbara.
The number 44 was retired by the Syracuse football program on November 12, 2005, to honor Little, Ernie Davis, and Jim Brown, and the eight other players who wore the number.
Little was a charter member of the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984, which included Rich Jackson, Lionel Taylor and Goose Gonsoulin.