NFL Nation: Floyd Little

NFL Any Era: Tim Tebow

January, 24, 2012
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Willie Lanier and Tim Tebow ESPN.com IllustrationWhat kind of collision would there be between Hall of Famer Willie Lanier and Tim Tebow?
ESPN is unveiling a cool project this week. The “Any Era” team. ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com combined on a project in which 20 Pro Football Hall of Famers and ESPN’s John Clayton, a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, put together a list of 20 current NFL players who they think could play in any era of the NFL.

The committee picked Denver quarterback Tim Tebow. He is No. 19 on the list.

It’s funny. It was debated hotly for the past few months whether or not the option-running Tebow could actually fit in this era. Yet, according to the Hall of Famers, Tebow could play in any era in NFL history partly because of his toughness and aggressive playing style.

Former Denver running back Floyd Little explained why he pushed for Tebow: “He might not be the greatest quarterback, but he could play at any position you want him to play at. He’s a guy I’d like to play with if I was still playing. He’s a winner, he’s mobile, strong, and gets the job done regardless, whether he’s blocking, throwing, running or just fooling you. He finds a way to win and people need to recognize that. A “W” is a “W” and it doesn’t matter how you get it, if you win ugly it’s still a “W.” Mechanics don’t play the game, people do.”

Added former Miami running back Larry Csonka: “I’m picking Tim Tebow, who’s a controversial choice. But that kid, a lot of people say he’s not a pure passing QB. But neither was Fran Tarkenton. You can take Tebow and compare him to a lot of quarterbacks over the years, great QBs who could roll out and be a threat. When it comes down to it, I think he can throw the long ball, maybe not consistently, but consistently enough to win. And in the final analysis, isn’t that what matters? He’s not going to statistically pass Dan Marino, but he may end up in a Super Bowl and Marino didn’t. He has a combination of things that come down to winning.”

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with the men the yellow jackets? Fill up the comments section below with your thoughts on Tebow’s selection to the Any Era team.
INDIANAPOLIS -- I have landed in Indianapolis for the NFL combine and I wanted to further address the Champ Bailey signing after discussing his contract extension with Denver and some other folks around the league.

Bailey
Bailey
Bailey signed a four-year deal that ESPN’s John Clayton has reported will pay him a guaranteed $22 million and could pay him between $43 million and 47 million over the course of the four years. But it is clear the deal will be reevaluated after the first two years. Bailey -- who is still considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL -- will turn 33 in June.

There is some surprise from around the league that Bailey didn’t wait until he could see what he could get on the open market. Many people say it is a direct indication of Bailey’s loyalty to Denver and his preference to stay where he is comfortable rather than seeing what a contending team would offer.

Denver, which is going in a new direction for the second time in two years, is not close to being a legitimate contender. It was 4-12 last season and it is rebuilding. Still, Bailey decided to stay in Denver before free agency even started.

A few years ago, when I was working on a story on whether or not Bailey would be a Pro Football Hall of Fame selection, he told me his key to Canton would be to win a Super Bowl ring. He thinks that is the best way of getting into the Hall of Fame. Bailey has to know Denver is not close to being a Super Bowl team, so staying in Denver must mean that much to him.

There is a chance Bailey will end his career elsewhere. I could see him and the Broncos parting ways after the 2012 season under some circumstances. But the point is, Bailey will always be remembered as a Bronco. He is entering his eighth season in Denver after the blockbuster 2004 trade with the Washington Redskins that sent Bailey and a second-round pick (running back Tatum Bell) to Denver for running back Clinton Portis. Portis has had a nice career with the Redskins, but Bailey is a premier player.

He has long been Denver’s best player and he is the face of the franchise. Bailey is truly one of the better players in team history. He will definitely go into the team’s Ring of Fame along with the likes of Hall of Famers John Elway, Floyd Little, Gary Zimmerman and Shannon Sharpe.

By signing this deal, Bailey has cemented his legacy in Denver. He could have jumped ship in search of a quick-fix championship. Instead, he has committed to finishing what he started in Denver seven years ago.

Shannon Sharpe's HOF wait is over

February, 5, 2011
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Shannon Sharpe is going to Canton two years too late.

Kudos to the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters who ended Sharpe's surprising wait on his third year of eligibility. Sharpe will truly be a deserving member of the Hall of Fame.

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Shannon Sharpe
Brian Bahr/Getty ImagesShannon Sharpe ended his career with 815 receptions, 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns.
I remember being shocked two years ago when Sharpe didn’t get elected on his first try. I had the same feeling last year when Sharpe was blocked from Canton. This year, the voters got it right.

Sharpe was a truly special player. He made the Denver Broncos unique. He made the team’s offense in the 1990s special. He changed the way the tight end was viewed in the NFL. Drafted out of tiny Savannah State in 1990 as a raw, lanky receiver, Sharpe transformed into an elite tight end and paved the way for the likes of Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.

Sharpe was a great receiver at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. He made linebackers and safeties look silly in coverage. He was a pumped-up receiver at tight end. It’s ironic that it was his ability as a receiver that kept Sharpe out of the Hall of Fame for two years. Sharpe was considered by many voters as a receiver and there has been a log jam (former Raiders’ receiver Tim Brown was not elected Saturday for the second straight season because of the glut at the position) of worthy receivers waiting to get in.

But Sharpe was more than simply a receiver. Former Denver quarterback John Elway said Sharpe was an underrated blocker and he was a key part of the team’s famed zone-blocking scheme that helped pave the way to Super Bowl titles after the 1997 and ’98 seasons.

What made Sharpe special was his ability to stretch the field as a big receiver. He had terrific hands and he was incredibly strong, so he was a nightmare for defenses to prepare against. Before Gonzalez broke his records, Sharpe widely considered to be the NFL’s best-ever tight end. Elway said this week that he still thinks Sharpe was the best tight end to play the game.

Sharpe’s election continues a nice Hall of Fame run for Denver. Elway was the team’s first Hall of Fame enshrinee in 2004. Left tackle Gary Zimmerman was elected in 2008 and running back Floyd Little was elected last year.

Now, Sharpe joins his former teammates Elway and Zimmerman where they all belong.

Video: Best of Hall of Fame speeches

August, 8, 2010
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Highlights of the induction speeches given by Dick LeBeau, John Randle, Rickey Jackson, Russ Grimm and Floyd Little.

Floyd Little Hall of Fame speech

August, 7, 2010
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Thank you. Thank you. I am still standing. And I give all the glory to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I am truly blessed to be standing here on this day to celebrate my journey as a person and as an athlete.

I only wish my mom and dad were here to celebrate with me. I know my mom is looking down on me today and she's saying, Floyd, I'm proud of you, you done good. I also miss my two brothers. Fred, known as Ranger, and Charles, known as Gitty. Gitty was the real hero. He served two terms in Vietnam and was a war hero. I miss my two brothers.

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Floyd Little
Andrew Weber/US Presswire"There's no words to describe the joy of experiencing this final sports chapter in my life," Little said.
But God continues to bless me with three living sisters, Betty Jackson, Rosalie Johnson and Priscilla Goodson. These three ladies have been my biggest fans since I first put on a football helmet at Troop Junior High School. You have been my rock and strength on this journey. I could not have made it without your prayer and your support. Thank you for always being there for me.

I also have three very special and talented kids. You've already met my son Marc. He was my presenter. Marc is not like a regular son. He's also my lawyer, my advisor, and my best friend. Life would be real different for me if Marc wasn't around. I love you, man.

My daughter Christy who has blessed me with four grandkids, A.J., Skye, Blaze and Hayes. Christy is a proud mommy in training and has created a career teaching other mommies to be better mommies and I'm so proud of her for that. Christy, I am so proud of all the things you do because when I look at you I see all the things you do for our family. We are a close family because of you. I have been truly blessed to have you as my daughter. I love you, Christy.

My daughter Kyra. I have watched you perform on Broadway and on stages across this country. I have not seen anyone with more talent than you. You truly are a triple threat with abilities that make me proud to stick my chest out and say, That is my daughter. I love you, Kyra.

To Joyce Davis, the mother of my two daughters. Joyce, you did a great job as a mother. Thank you for your support during those early and challenging years as a Denver Bronco. Thank you for your support.

To my beautiful wife DeBorah, my friend, my partner and everything a husband can want. You stand shoulder to shoulder with me. You never wavered in your steadfast resolve, always willing to go to battle on my behalf, always ready to help me finish the fight. Thank you for always being by my side. You are my Hall of Famer and I love you.

No one travels this road alone. I can never have imagined the impact of a phone call I got from Tom Mackie's wife Emily. She called asking if I would consider meeting Tom for his 40th birthday because I was Tom's hero. Not only did Tom and I meet, but he became the co-author of my first book, Tales from the Bronco Sideline. My biggest advocate for my Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration. Now Tom is my hero. Thank you, Tom Mackie, for all you've done. I truly appreciate it.

Lastly I want to thank my biggest friend and supporter, Jim Gray. Thank you, Jim Gray, for all you've done that contributed to my moment of being here today. I'm truly grateful, Jim, for all you've done.

The list of those that's had an impact on my life and career is long, but I must give thanks to Ernie Davis, to Jim Brown, to John Mackie, to Hal Williams, to Ernie Barnes, to Billy Thompson, and my coaches Dan Casey, Al Verdel, Jay Lou, Ben Swartzwalder, Lou Saban, John Ralston. A special thanks to the Hall of Fame committee, Jeff Legwold, Jim Saccomano, and my Syracuse family, Dr. Nancy Carter and Dr. Daryl Gross and the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden. To all my classmates, all my teammates from Hillhouse High School, Bordentown Military, Syracuse University, and the Denver Broncos. To Pat Bowlen and the entire Bronco organization, and to all the Bronco fans around the world. To all my friends and family who are here, and those who could not be here, thank you for your loyalty and your support over all these years. I am truly, truly grateful.

There's no words to describe the joy of experiencing this final sports chapter in my life. This is obviously the highest honor any football player can garner. I stand here today celebrating my athletic life journey, and I understand significant. Everything else pales in comparison. Every player wakes up wishing to have this honor. I encourage you all to continue to dream for this moment. I have been favored by God and by those who have had a say in what happens to me.

But the road was not always so easy and clear. I remember being a strong but angry young man in school. I used my strength in ways that became my weakness. After being kicked out of school, I had reached an impasse in my life. Everything was done. My hopes were shattered and done. And then I had a vision from my late father that came to me and said, Floyd, I've chosen you to take my place, to do what I could not do, and to finish what I could not finish.

I came to myself. With the help of those who saw the good in me, I was re-enrolled back in school with determination. Not only did I become the president of my class, but I started my journey as a leader in everything that I did, and I never looked back.

Because of those that encouraged me in those early years, I am here today. So I want to encourage you, every student, every athlete, every person who will hear my voice, don't listen to the naysayer. I had plenty of those. Don't listen to those that will judge you for your rough edges. Don't focus on your weakness so you won't become a victim. Find the goodness in you that says, Yes, I can be a good student. Yes, I can be a good son and daughter. Yes, I can be a positive role model. Yes, I can, because the good in you is better than the worst in most. The choice is yours. Be the best that you can be.

I truly believe that none of us is anything until the least of us is something. The great writer James Baldwin said, Naked I came into this world and naked I shall leave. We are bound to leave everything we accomplished in this lifetime behind, passing it on. So leave a legacy that you and your family can be proud.

I've given you the best that I've got. And I'm a better person for it. Thank you for being here with me and for me. I thank God for His favor today, and may God bless us all. Thank you so much.
Dick LeBeauAndrew Weber/US PresswireDick LeBeau cherished his moment at the podium. "Life is a gift. It's a joy," he said.

CANTON, Ohio -- Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and president Art Rooney II stood side-by-side as dozens of players behind them gradually stepped off the team's buses.

Each player carried a Terrible Towel as he entered Fawcett Stadium. Many Steelers smiled as one of their own -- a coach, a mentor, and in some ways a father figure -- was about to enter football immortality.

It was a joyous and celebratory day for Dick LeBeau. The longtime Steelers defensive coordinator and former Pro Bowl cornerback with the Detroit Lions received his Hall of Fame bust Saturday after recording 62 career interceptions and becoming one of the greatest defensive minds in football history.

"It's very special," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. "He's done more for me as a person off the field than he could ever do with me on the field. It’s just an honor."

LeBeau joined an outstanding 2010 Hall of Fame class that also included Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson and Floyd Little. LeBeau went in as a Lions player, but Saturday’s induction had more of a Steeler Nation feel to it.

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Pittsburgh Steelers
AP Photo/Mark DuncanMembers of the Pittsburgh Steelers cheered on Dick LeBeau on Saturday.
Steelers coaching staff and players made the trip from training camp in Latrobe, Pa., to support and honor LeBeau. They proudly stood in a roped-off section to the left of the stage and waved their Terrible Towels.

LeBeau's brother, Bob, introduced him and soaked in every moment.

"Man, this really is a great day to be alive!" Dick LeBeau said.

Dick LeBeau spent most of his adult life making life hard on quarterbacks. His 62 picks are eighth all time. His invention of the zone blitz defense also led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles, making him arguably the greatest assistant coach in NFL history.

One of the first things LeBeau did Saturday was give credit to his players, which is something he does frequently. His wisdom and youthful energy have helped him relate to players during his coaching career.

In typical LeBeau fashion, he credited many of the people who shaped his career and contributed to his success. The Steelers hung on LeBeau’s every word during his speech and were equally complimentary.

Some Pittsburgh players have been to Canton to participate in the Hall of Fame Game, but this was the first time many got to enjoy the ceremony.

"It's great to be a part of this induction," Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said. "It's a lot different actually getting to see this and celebrate it. For us this is very important."

LeBeau, 72, is coaching on a year-to-year basis with Pittsburgh. But his legend and contribution to football for more than 50 years were officially solidified Saturday night.

Showing his wisdom and charm, LeBeau left the crowd at Fawcett Stadium with a strong message.

"Life is for living, folks," LeBeau said. "Don't let a number be anything other than a number. Don't let somebody tell you that you're too old to do this or too old to do that. Stay in life. Life is a gift. It's a joy. Don't drop out of it."
As a running back for the Denver Broncos, Floyd Little was an undersized player who never stopped fighting for the extra yard.

He never quit.

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Floyd Little
Rod Hanna/US PresswireDenver great Floyd Little had given up on being inducted into the Hall of Fame but will finally enter this month.
In 2008, Little now admits, he quit. He gave up on his dream of becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I gave up, I really did,” Little said.

The only way Little, who starred for Denver from 1967 to 75, could get in was as a senior committee nominee. In 2008, the senior committee selected Bob Hayes as a nominee. It was his second go-around in the senior committee. Hayes was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009.

“I thought once they were giving guys a second chance before I got a first chance that it would never happen,” Little said.”I thought I was so far in the hole they wouldn’t find me.”

However, in 2009, Little was nominated by the senior committee. As soon as he was nominated, he started to become hopeful. He kept focusing on the No. 44.

It was the number he wore in Denver. It was the number fellow candidate Dick LeBeau wore. The election was taking place the day before the 44th Super Bowl. Little’s son, Marc, was turning 44 this year. The United States is on its 44th president, Barack Obama.

“It was all falling into place,” Little said. “It was time for 44 to pay off.”

It did. Little and his friend LeBeau were elected to the Hall of Fame in February. Marc Little will present his father at the Canton, Ohio, museum on Saturday.

“It’s been surreal since I was elected,” Littlie said. “I’ve waited 35 years and now that it is here, I have so much to do it is really overwhelming.”

Little has been concentrating on his speech for several months. He has been spending the past month editing it. Candidates have just six to eight minutes for their speech. Little, 68, said he has a lifetime of people to thank for his journey to Canton.

“I need a minute for every year I’ve waited. I need 35 minutes,” Little joked. Little admitted that there are “four or five areas” of his speech during which he is worried he will get emotional. He has been trying to work on it. Still, after his long wait, he knows it might be impossible not to break down.

Little is also hoping to have some special help on the stage. He is friends with Vice President Joe Biden. The two went to Syracuse together. Biden is trying to find the time to get to the ceremony. If so, Biden will help Marc Little unveil his father’s bust.

“The only time Joe visited the Hall of Fame, he asked workers where my bust was,” Little said. “They told him it wasn’t there. He said he wouldn’t be back until it was … It’s been a long wait, but it’s almost here. I’m walking on cloud nine.”
Floyd Little reflected Thursday on what it would have been like to be teammates with Merlin Olsen.

It could have happened.

In 1962, Olsen was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL and the Denver Broncos of the AFL. Olsen selected the security of the NFL and the Rams.

“That would have been something,” said Little, a newly minted Pro Football Hall of Famer and a Bronco from 1967 to 1975. “We would have been a lot better with Merlin Olsen.”

The Hall of Fame defensive lineman died Thursday. He was 69.

Little said it was a tough day. The two played against each other often. Little said the two became friendly at Pro Bowls and other functions throughout their careers.

“I’m very saddened to learn of Merlin’s passing. He was a great player, a great player. He was also a great person. He wasn’t an atypical football player. He was a great human being with a lot of skills. He was very special.”

All-time top RBs in the AFC West

February, 23, 2010
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It is a historic time in the AFC West. The release of San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is a big deal.

Yes, we knew it was coming, and yes, Tomlinson is no longer a top back, but his departure from San Diego has to be a time of reflection. To mark Tomlinson’s release, I’m listing my top five running backs who spent the bulk of their career in the AFC West:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego: This is not a courtesy pick. Tomlinson was a dominant player. He compiled 12,490 rushing yards in nine seasons. He is eighth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. He is among the league leaders on several other record lists. In his prime, he was among the best players in the league. He’s the best running back ever to play in this division.

2. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City: Allen was a special player, especially for the Raiders. He was a key to a Raiders Super Bowl team and he was a game changer. His 12,243 career rushing yards are 12th on the league’s all-time list.

3. Terrell Davis, Denver: Davis only played from 1995-2001 in a career that was cut short by injuries, but he made the most of it. He had 7,607 career rushing yards. He was a catalyst to Denver’s two Super Bowl championships. When he was in his prime, Davis was unstoppable.

4. Floyd Little, Denver: Little was just elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played in Denver from 1967-75. He played on several bad teams, but Little was a workhorse who was deserving of his enshrinement in Canton.

5. Priest Holmes, Kansas City: Holmes played in Kansas City from 2001-07. He was dominant in his first three seasons in Kansas City before injuries plagued him. He is the team leader in career rushing yards with 5,933.

Five questions with Floyd Little

February, 10, 2010
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I caught up with Floyd Little as he soaks in life as one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The running back – who was the face of the Denver Broncos from 1968-75 – was elected into the Hall of Fame on Saturday in what was likely his final chance to get elected.

Little is still in Miami, as he and the other newly-elected members are going through a Hall of Fame orientation. Tuesday, Little was measured for his Hall of Fame jackets and had photos taken for his bust for this summer’s enshrinement ceremony. Little took time out of his hectic schedule to play five questions:

How did you celebrate your election Saturday night? “We had a group of 11 friends and family who went to a steakhouse. My old friend, baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, was in Miami and he joined us. We had champagne and cake and we partied big time.”

How many calls of congratulations have you gotten since your election? My voice mail holds 60 messages and it is full. I have 150 emails. Many college teammates from Syracuse are calling and my Denver teammates are calling me. Two of the most special calls were from Vice President Joe Biden and Hall of Famer Joe Greene. He said I was the best player he ever played against. Joe Biden and I went to Syracuse together. He wants to come to the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Who is going to be your Hall of Fame presenter? “My son, Marc. He was the first guy to write a letter to the Hall of Fame asking why I wasn’t in. I told him if I ever made it, he’d be standing up there with me.”

Who will be the next Denver player elected? “It should either be Randy Gradishar or Shannon Sharpe.”

What should the Broncos do with receiver Brandon Marshall? “The tail can’t wag the dog. He didn’t play in the team’s last game but he played in the Pro Bowl. But I think they have to find a way to keep him. He’s the best receiver in the league, in my opinion. They have to find a way make it work.”

Video: Rice, Smith Headline 2010 Class

February, 6, 2010
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video
NFL greats Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were among the seven players selected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame Class of 2010.

Dawson continues to wait for Hall

February, 6, 2010
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One of the top centers of all-time will continue to play the waiting game.

Dawson
Dawson
Thirteen-year Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Dermontti Dawson, who made seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992-98, was once again passed over for the Hall of Fame. This was the sixth consecutive time he failed to make it to Canton since becoming eligible in 2005.

Dawson made the cut from 15 to 10 finalists this year. But Dawson wasn't part of the five inductees that included Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Russ Grimm, John Randle and Rickey Jackson. Senior nominees Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little also are part of the 2010 class.

This year was perhaps the closest Dawson came to making the Hall of Fame. He also was a finalist in 2008 and a semifinalist in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

There is an impressive backlog of players currently not in the Hall of Fame. In addition to Dawson, strong candidates such as Cris Carter, Cortez Kennedy, Richard Dent, Andre Reed, Charles Haley, Tim Brown and Roger Craig were all rejected this year alone.

Several more impressive candidates such as Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Jonathan Ogden and Jerome Bettis also will be eligible very soon. That will further congest the Hall of Fame voting process, which doesn't help Dawson's candidacy.
The AFC West had four chances to be represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only Floyd Little made it.

Let’s look at the other three people who didn’t get voted in:

Oakland receiver Tim Brown

What happened: He didn’t make it to the final 10.

Why: There is a glut of receivers. With Jerry Rice (who spent four years in Oakland and who retired while with Denver) a shoo-in, Brown, Cris Cater and Andre Reed suffered.

Will he get in? Sure, but it may take some time. Carter has been waiting three years and he and Reed will likely get in before Brown.


San Diego coach Don Coryell

What happened: He didn’t make it to the final 10.

Why: This was a very stacked class. Ultimately, getting a coach in who never went to the Super Bowl was too difficult of a task.

Will he get in? Maybe someday, but it may be difficult.


Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe

What happened: He made it to the list of 10, but didn’t make the final cut.

Why: Like Brown, Sharpe suffered because of the logjam of receivers. Many voters considered him a receiver even though he was a tight end.

Will he get in? He has to, doesn’t he? I’ve been surprised that Sharpe didn’t make it in both years of his eligibility.

Little's long run has a happy end

February, 6, 2010
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Floyd Little
AP Photo/FileFloyd Little was the first star player for the Denver Broncos.
Before John Elway became the unofficial governor of Colorado, there was Floyd Little.

He was the face of the Denver Broncos long before Elway developed his rocket arm. Now Little joins his Denver successor in Canton, Ohio.

In what was likely his final chance to be immortalized, the former Broncos running back was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior committee nominee after a 30-year wait. Had he not been elected Saturday, there was no guarantee Little would ever be considered for enshrinement again. He joins Elway and tackle Gary Zimmerman as Denver players in the Hall of Fame.

While the team’s excitement was tempered by the failed candidacy of tight end Shannon Sharpe, the franchise was still ecstatic about Little’s induction.

Getting Little into the Hall of Fame was a mission for the franchise. Little thanked several members of the organization Saturday for their continual pursuit to get him enshrined.

“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,” Denver owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement released by the team.

The bow-legged Little carried the franchise on his back. By far the best player on some bad teams, Little, who played from 1967-75, never made it to the playoffs.

He ranked seventh in the NFL in all-time rushing with 6,323 yards when he retired and trailed only O.J. Simpson in rushing yards in that period. Little was a star for a franchise that didn’t truly find its way until several years after he retired and was the first face of the Broncos.

Saturday, he was finally rewarded for it.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Jerry Rice, Russ Grimm, John Randle, Emmitt Smith and Rickey Jackson made the list of five final candidates for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Of the five, only those receiving 80 percent approval from the committee will qualify for enshrinement. Those results are scheduled to be announced on NFL Network about 25 minutes into a program that begins at 5 p.m. ET.

Cortez Kennedy, Richard Dent, Dermontti Dawson, Andre Reed and Shannon Sharpe survived the cut from 15 to 10 finalists. Charles Haley, Roger Craig, Cris Carter, Don Coryell and Tim Brown were eliminated in the cut from 15 to 10 finalists.

The status of the two seniors-committee candidates, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little, will be announced with the other enshrinees.

This was my first year as a voter. Rules prevent me from revealing which candidates received my votes. Rules also prevent me from disclosing specifics of conversations.

Kennedy, arguably the best defensive player in Seahawks history, took a step forward in the process by making the cut to 10. And if Randle is enshrined, Kennedy could emerge next year as the top defensive tackle eligible for consideration.

Rice's selection was a formality. Grimm's inclusion among the final five candidates marks a big step forward for him. Harry Carson once made the cut to five, but failed to receive the necessary 80 percent support, so nothing is final until the announcement is made. But it is looking pretty good for Grimm.

Carter took a step back by missing the cut to 10. Look for Kennedy, Dent, Dawson, Reed and Sharpe to receive strong consideration in 2011.
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