NFL Hall Of Famer Floyd Little Dies At 78

NEW HAVEN, CT — Hall of fame football running back and Connecticut native Floyd Little died Jan. 1 after a battle with cancer.

Little, 78, passed away at his home in Las Vegas with family by his side. The family announced that memorial services would be announced in the near future.

He attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven and later Syracuse University. The New Haven Athletic Center was renamed after him in 2011, according to the New Haven Register.

He was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos and played for them between 1967 and 1975 and was nicknamed “The Franchise.”

He went back to work in the Syracuse athletic department from 2011 to 2016. He has remained a popular football figure in Connecticut, Denver and at Syracuse University for his character both on and off the field.

"Floyd Little is a Syracuse treasure," said Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack in a statement. "The legacy that he leaves here is so much more than just one who wore #44, was an All-American, was in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Floyd's legacy is that he was a wonderful, wonderful person. He treated everyone with genuine care and respect and was always there for people.”

Little is a hall of fame inductee at both the college and NFL level.

“Floyd Little was a true hero of the game. He was a man of great integrity, passion and courage” said Pro Football Hall of Fame CEO David Baker in a statement. “His contributions off the field were even greater than his amazing accomplishments he did on it. Floyd’s smile, heart and character epitomized what it meant to have a Hall of Fame life.”