Syracuse Legend Floyd Little Diagnosed with Cancer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little has been diagnosed with cancer, his wife, DeBorah, has confirmed.

Little, 77, was a three-time All-American for the Orange from 1964-66. He famously followed Jim Brown and 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis in Syracuse's trinity of legendary running backs who wore the No. 44. A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Little attended Syracuse University to keep a promise he made to Davis before Davis' untimely passing in 1963.

In three seasons for the Orange, Little rushed for 2,704 yards and scored a team-record 46 touchdowns. Also a standout return man, Little 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 return touchdowns. The 1966 ECAC Player of the Year, Little finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting twice.

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. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

In 2011, Little returned to his alma mater to serve as special assistant to the director of athletics, a position he held until 2016. That same year, he was presented with an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Syracuse University. Little was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Floyd and DeBorah Little currently live in Las Vegas.

A GoFundMe page has been started by Little's former Orange teammate Pat Killorin to help offset the cost of Little's medical expenses.

Statement from Director of Athletics John Wildhack:
"Floyd's determination and fortitude has guided him throughout his life. We know he will battle this challenge with the same focus. In this battle, he will have all of Orange Nation by his side."

Statement from head football coach Dino Babers:
"Floyd Little is a fighter. I know he will face this disease with the same courage, dignity and strength with which he's met all of life's challenges. The entire Syracuse Football family is in his corner."

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Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse Legend Floyd Little Diagnosed with Cancer

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