Hall of Famer Floyd Little Immerses Himself in Immortality

I only got to speak with Floyd for 10 minutes during Hall of Fame weekend. For some that might
feel like a letdown, but I was glad to watch his beaming face from afar . . . allowing him to soak
up the incredible vibes from family, friends, his new Hall of Fame buddies, and the over-flowing
Broncos fans. 

Friday Induction Dinner

At the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Jacket Presentation, Floyd and the 6 other new Hall
of Famers sat at a long table in the front like they were in a wedding party.  While the other
HOFers ate quietly without being interrupted, Floyd was inundated with old friends including his
old blocking back at Bordentown Military Insititute and Hal Williams, a close friend who had a
prominent role in the movie Private Benjamin. I talked to Floyd for a few minutes as he gobbled
up his filet. Even though he had gone nonstop with a luncheon, media session, and other HOF
activities, he was happy and animated. There's something about Floyd's gracious manner that
people feel comfortable approaching him. He took time to speak with everyone.

With over 100 Hall of Famers on hand welcoming Floyd and the new HOFers – including Roger
Staubach, Hugh McElhenny, and Jim Otto – the night was nearly perfect. Except . . . someone
decided it was appropriate to hand out lifetime achievement awards for Sportswriting and
TV/Radio at this sacred event. Peter Finney, the 82-year-old legendary writer for the New Orleans
Times-Picayune won the McCann award for his 60-plus years at the paper. Sensing that people
were not there to listen to a writer speak, Finney fittingly spoke briefly and graciously for 5
minutes about his beloved Saints. Then he sat down. I wish that could have been true for Chirs
Berman, ESPN guru, who was awarded the Pete Rozelle for TV/Radio. Berman got up and without
care that the evening was slipping away, spoke for 40 minutes – 2,400 nonstop seconds.  I don't
think he even breathed. I turned to my right and saw Staubach yawning and poor Charley Trippi,
who played in the 1940s, sleeping. For lack of a better word, it was completely selfish of Berman
to monopolize the podium.

Finally, after Berman was finished (30 minutes too late) the jacket presentation had finally arrived.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and HOF Executive Director Steve Perry delivered the jackets. Floyd's
son Marc, who gave the most eloquent presentation of his father at the induction, slipped the gold
HOF jacket on his father to cast him into immortality. Lights sprayed the stage. Still, Floyd's smile
outshone them all.

Saturday Induction Ceremony

It was another long day for Floyd, beginning with an 8:30 am parade thru downtown Canton,
another luncheon and numerous activities.

Although it had been 35 years since Floyd Little had last donned a Broncos helmet, he definitely had
his game-face on during his electrifying 9-minute Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Though it was
announced the night before at the Induction Dinner and Jacket Presentation he would speak 4th on
Saturday – someone must have gotten a copy of Floyd's speech. How else do you explain him suddenly
being thrust between Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, the two "headliners" of the 2010 Class!  They
always save the best for last.

While my wife Emily and I enjoyed watching my son play with Floyd's grandchildren in the concession
area of the stadium, I learned from them that their "Poppi was going to tell a story" he was not making
a speech. Biased perhaps, I felt Floyd delivered the best "story" of the bunch.

In addition to thanking key people in his life (I am still speechless that I was even mentioned), his
message "Don't listen to the naysayer" and "Don't focus on your weakness so you won't become a
victim" were incredibly inspiring. Still with those sentiments, his story continued to get stronger, more
inspiring.  I've heard motivational speakers say, "Yes, I can" numerous times. But Floyd is such a master
public speaker. His insight to take it a step further saying "Yes, I can, because the good in you is better
than the worst in most" was poetic.

Finally, he plucked my heartstrings with words that I often think about when I look back at my life:
"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."

Late Saturday Night – Floyd's Celebration Party

The card that arrived at my home weeks before HOF weekend read: "Pat Bowlen and the Denver
Broncos along with Floyd and DeBorah Little invite you to join them" at a private party following the
induction. Well, Mr. Bowlen never showed up but that's OK, because he laid the plastic down on a
first-class party.

There were photos of Floyd, drinks aplenty, delicious crab cakes and pastries and hundreds of family,
friends and fans. Best of all, at the far end of the tent was Floyd's newly minted bust. Floyd arrived
around 11:30 pm and was promptly engulfed by loved ones. All you could see was Floyd's gleaming
jacket and layers of people wrapped around him.

There were about 60 percent family, 20 percent friends and 20 percent fans. The fans mobbed Floyd
and it seemed all wanted the same things: 1) Pose with Floyd next to his bust; 2) Sign some sort of
memorabilia. Floyd naturally obliged everyone. Notables included former teammates Billy Thompson
and ESPN's Tom Jackson, and his long-time friend, broadcaster Jim Gray who also grew up idolizing
Little.

At one point, I was asked by some professional photographers to pose with Floyd next to his bust.
Seeing Floyd for the first time that night, he looked over at me, sweat dripping from his beaming face,
and said "Where the hell have you been all night!" Then he laughed. After a few shots I said, "You
must be exhausted." He said, "Did I tell you I haven't slept in 2 nights?"

The coolest moment of the night was when I spotted Sylvia Mackey across the room. She is the wife
of HOFer John Mackey who is suffering from dementia. To say she is a stunning, beautiful woman is
like saying Claudia Schiffer is sort of easy on the eyes.  Sylvia was a statuesque model in the 1960s
when she met John at Syracuse – thanks to his roommate, Ernie Davis – who gave him the courage
to ask her out.

I went up and introduced myself and asked her about John, who is she admitted is doing as well as
can be expected. I told her that John's quote about Floyd –- "If there is no room for Floyd Little in the
Hall of Fame, please take me out and put him in. He deserves it that much" – expressed years earlier
had a huge impact on the HOF voters.  She looked at me speechless. "Really?  I had no idea. That is
so great. I am so glad John was able to help!"  Sylvia Mackey is a first-class person. She is leading the
charge to increase health benefits for retired NFL players and even appeared on Capitol Hill.

We had a chance to swing by early Sunday morning before heading out. Floyd had an autograph
session at noon and had to be up by 11 am. At 9:30 am, his wife told me "Floyd is asleep but you can
stop by before his ride at 11 AM. I'm sure he wants to see you."  No, I said. Let the man sleep. As he
said at the end of speech: "I've given you the best that I've got. And I'm a better person for it."

We all are.

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