LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Syracuse University Football legend
Floyd Little for his outstanding achievements in athletics, business,
and service to the community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay trib-
ute to those individuals whose commitment and creative talents have
contributed to the cultural enrichment of their community and the entire
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Syracuse University Football legend Floyd Little for his outstanding
achievements in athletics, business, and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Floyd Little was an outstand-
ing athlete at Bordentown Military Academy in New Jersey; after being
recruited by several colleges for football he was recruited by General
MacArthur in an effort to get him to attend West Point; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Little decided to attend Syracuse University in 1963
following in the footsteps of his hero Ernie Davis, making his announce-
ment upon hearing about Ernie's death; at Syracuse, Floyd's impact was
felt immediately; and
WHEREAS, In the course of his athletic career, Floyd Little has won
numerous accolades, including a three-time All-American in football, and
a 1966 ECAC Player of the Year; he currently holds Syracuse University's
career records for touchdowns (46), and punts returned for touchdowns
(6); Floyd Little finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a
junior and senior; and
WHEREAS, In 1967 Floyd Little was the sixth selection of the first
AFL-NFL draft; he was the first ever to be picked as a first-round draft
choice signing with the American Football League's Denver Broncos; he
was simply known as "The Franchise"; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Little led the American Football League in rushing from
1968 to 1973; he was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and twice named All
AFL/NFL; he was the first Bronco to have his jersey number "44" retired,
and his legendary number "44" was also retired at Syracuse University;
and
WHEREAS, In 1983 Floyd Little was elected into the College Football
Hall of Fame and in 2010, he was honored by being inducted into The
Professional Football Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Little has pursued excellence in all his endeavors,
including his pursuits after football; he earned his law degree in 1975
from the University of Denver College of Law; he also completed the Ford
Motor Executive Management Training Program in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Little was one of the most successful and well
respected Ford dealers in the industry; in 2009, he retired from Ford
being the longest tenured minority dealer in the Ford portfolio at the
time; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Little's success on the football field and in business
has been surpassed only by his commitment to serving the local,
national, and international communities; he has received more than 30 of
the most distinguished community service awards in America, including
the YMCA Brian Piccolo Award, the Distinguished American Award for
Community Service presented by the Connecticut Hall of Fame and American
Jewish Community Appeal for Human Relations Citation; and
WHEREAS, The Walter Camp Foundation named Floyd Little its "Man of the
Year" in 1978; he was recently awarded the 2011 Walter Camp Distin-
guished American Award for using his talents to great success in busi-
ness, private life and public service; and

WHEREAS, Desiring to serve both his alma mater and the community,
Floyd Little is currently serving as the Special Assistant to the Direc-
tor of Athletics at Syracuse University; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Syracuse native and
former City Council Woman DeBorah A. Green, who feels privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoices in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Floyd Little's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Syracuse University Football legend Floyd Little for his outstand-
ing achievements in athletics, business, and service to the community;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Floyd Little.