Floyd Douglas Little (born July 4, 1942 in New Haven, Connecticut) was a three-time American football All-American running back at Syracuse University. Floyd Little was known simply as "The Franchise" in Denver, where he was the first No. 1 draft pick to sign with the Denver Broncos. He was the 13th selection of the 1967 draft. Legend has it that he was "fired" by coach Lou Saban after a fumble that led to a late-game lead for the Buffalo Bills in 1968. Little, after refusing to leave the huddle, asked QB Marlon Brisco to "throw the ball as far as you can and I'll catch it." Brisco threw it, Little caught it, and the Broncos kicked a winning field goal.

A charter member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame, in his fifth season, Little was the first Bronco to hold the rushing title, with 901 yds, and the next year was the first Bronco to eclipse 1,000 yds, gaining 1,133, the most in pro football. He retired with 6,323 yds rushing and 43 tds. A member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.

See also

• Other American Football League players

External links

• Little's citation on the AFL Hall of Fame website