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MIAMI -- One of the most decorated Broncos in franchise history can now add one more title to his illustrious resumes - Hall of Famer.
A day before Super Bowl XLIV will kick off, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 was announced, and Floyd Little is among those who will be immortalized in Canton, Ohio.
"This is a great day for Floyd Little individually as well as for the Denver Broncos' entire organization and our fans,” Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen said. “Floyd has made immeasurable contributions to this franchise and the NFL, and he deservedly will take his place among the greatest to play this game in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Although his playing career with the Broncos took place before my time with the team, I am well aware of what Floyd Little means to this franchise, city and league. Aside from his stellar play on the field, he helped make the Broncos relevant in the NFL and strengthened the bond between this team and its fans. He has waited a long time for this honor, and I couldn't be happier for him."
No. 44 played in Denver from 1967-75, and finished his career as the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and total touchdowns. His club record for career combined yardage stood until 2006, and he still sits at second in career rushing attempts in Broncos history.
A first-round pick in 1967 from Syracuse University, Little is one of the four original Broncos Ring of Fame inductees and one of just three Broncos to have his jersey retired. Now he is headed to the Hall of Fame.
"There have been so many Broncos fans who have been so supportive and have signed petitions and have really been wanting this to happen," Little said. "I can't thank the Broncos organization and their fans any more."
Little played in the Pro Bowl in 1970, 1971 and 1973, and participated in the AFL All-Star Game in 1968 and '69. Nicknamed "The Franchise," he led the team in rushing for seven consecutive seasons from 1967-73 - the longest such streak in club history - also leading the NFL in rushing in 1971.
During his career, the only running back to total more rushing yards than Little was Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson. He retired as the seventh-leading rusher in NFL history, and all six players ahead of him are also in the Hall of Fame.
Looking back, Little said things couldn't have turned out better for him than to end up in Denver for his career.
"When I think about being drafted, I was supposed to go to the Jets, so when Denver drafted me I was thinking, 'Where the hell is Denver?'" Little laughed. "But it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, being drafted by the Denver Broncos and playing my whole career there."
Despite ending his 14-career as one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL History, Shannon Sharpe's bid for Canton fell just short for the second year in-a-row. He will be eligable for the 2011 class.
The Class of 2010 will be enshrined on Saturday, August 7, 2010 in Canton, Ohio.
