Assembly Resolution No. 29

BY: M. of A. Magnarelli

CELEBRATING the life and legacy of Floyd Douglas
Little

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those outstanding individuals who have gone before us, and who have
distinguished themselves in their professional and personal lives
through their unwavering passion, dedication and substantial
contributions to their communities and this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the life and legacy of Floyd Douglas Little who died on
January 1, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Born on July 4, 1942, Floyd Douglas Little was an
All-American athlete, passionate Syracuse University alumnus, successful
business executive, mentor, philanthropist, friend, and family man; an
iconic college and professional football player who was raised in New
Haven, Connecticut, and became a phenomenon on the field; he attended
Syracuse University to keep a promise he made to 1961 Heisman Trophy
winner Ernie Davis, before Davis' untimely passing in 1963; the pair
were with Syracuse's Hall of Fame coach Ben Schwartzwalder at dinner
during a visit to New Haven; Floyd Little, who was also being recruited
to Army and Notre Dame, told Davis he would sign with Syracuse, but he
didn't make it official until the day he learned of Davis' death a few
months later; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, Floyd Little brought his skills to Syracuse
University, where the 5'10" running back became the program's first and
only three-time All-American running back and finished fifth in Heisman
Trophy voting as both a junior and senior; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Little, in his first home game for Syracuse in
Archbold Stadium, scored five touchdowns, helping Syracuse beat Kansas
and All-American Gale Sayers in 1964; and

WHEREAS, During his three seasons for the Orange, Floyd Little
rushed for 2,704 yards and scored 46 touchdowns; he was also a standout
return man who led the nation in all-purpose yards (1,990) and punt
return average (23.5) as a junior in 1965; and still holds the Syracuse
career record with six punt returns for touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, The 1966 ECAC Player of the Year, Floyd Little played in
the same Orange backfield as College and Pro Football Hall of Fame
inductee Larry Csonka '68 and Tom Coughlin '68, the two-time Super Bowl
champion head coach; and

WHEREAS, Floyd Little was selected by the Denver Broncos with the
No. 6 pick in the 1967 AFL-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; furthermore, he 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; and


WHEREAS, Floyd Little was elected to the College Football Hall of
Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010; his induction
into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 marked the 11th
hall of fame to recognize him; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, three years after his final NFL game, Floyd Little
was named the Walter Camp Man of the Year, an award that combines
athletic success with working to benefit others, often through charities
and non-profit organizations; and

WHEREAS, He earned the 1992 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his
collegiate and professional accomplishments and his civic and charitable
activities, the 2012 Walter Camp Football Foundation Distinguished
American Award, and the 2014 Doak Walker Legends Award; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Floyd Little returned to his alma mater to serve
as special assistant to the director of athletics, a position he held
until 2016; the impact he made in his role as an athletics department
administrator is immeasurable as he provided guidance and advice to
student-athletes from all sports; his work enabled him to influence a
new generation of student-athletes to work hard and find success; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Syracuse University awarded Floyd Little with an
honorary doctorate in humane letters at the school's 162nd Commencement;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and remember the life and legacy of Floyd Douglas Little; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Floyd Douglas Little.