Floyd Little: Denver Broncos Hall of Fame Running Back Dies at 78

Floyd Little was an American football running back, nicknamed "the Franchise," who starred for the Denver Broncos and became one of the first great stars in franchise history. Born Floyd Douglas Little on July 4, 1942, in New Haven, Connecticut, he also starred at Syracuse University.

Little played for the Broncos from 1967 to 1975 and led the NFL in rushing in 1971 with 1,133 yards. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1969. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, many years after his retirement.

Little's signing helped keep the AFL Broncos from leaving Denver and helped build support for the funding of Mile High Stadium. He was married to DeBorah Little. He announced a cancer diagnosis in 2020 and died in Henderson, Nevada, on January 1, 2021, at age 78. Remembered as one of the most beloved players in Denver history, he gave the Broncos their first real star.

Achievements: NFL rushing leader (1971), first-team All-Pro (1969), inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1983), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010).

Birth: July 4, 1942 - New Haven, Connecticut.

Profession: Football running back.

Interesting Facts: Actor Chadwick Boseman played him in the 2008 film The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. He was nicknamed "the Franchise" because his signing helped keep the Broncos in Denver.