Floyd Little In, Shannon Sharpe Out

The utmost congratulations goes out to Floyd Little who was just named to the NFL hall of fame. It’s about time. Now Denver fans will just have to wait for Shannon Sharpe to get in. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think it would be a travesty if Sharpe gets passed up next year. Press release after the jump.

FORMER BRONCOS RB FLOYD LITTLE
ELECTED TO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little (1967-75) was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010, it was announced on Saturday at the Broward County Convention Center.

Little will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 7, in a ceremony at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. He joins tackle Gary Zimmerman (1993-97, Class of 2008) and quarterback John Elway (1983-98, Class of 2004) as Pro Football Hall of Famers who spent a primary portion of their career with the Broncos.

“This is a great day for Floyd Little individually as well as for the Denver Broncos’ entire organization and our fans,” Broncos President and CEO Pat Bowlen said. “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.

“Although his playing career with the Broncos took place before my time with the team, I am well aware of what Floyd Little means to this franchise, city and league. Aside from his stellar play on the field, he helped make the Broncos relevant in the NFL and strengthened the bond between this team and its fans. He has waited a long time for this honor, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Little spent all nine of his professional seasons with the Broncos from 1967-75 and ranked seventh on the NFL’s all-time rushing list (6,323 yards) and eighth on its all-time combined yards list (12,173 yards) at the time of his retirement. Selected by Denver with the sixth overall pick in the 1967 draft from Syracuse University, Little was the first No. 1 draft choice to sign with the Broncos and made five All-Star appearances (3 Pro Bowls, 2 AFL All-Star) with the team.

During his nine-year career, Little totaled the most all-purpose yards in pro football and ranked second to only O.J. Simpson in rushing yards over that period. Little is one of only three players in NFL history with 6,000 career rushing yards and 3,000 career special-teams return yards.

A 1984 Broncos Ring of Fame inductee, Little led the Broncos in rushing for a club-record seven consecutive seasons from 1967-73, including in 1971 when he captured the NFL’s rushing crown with 1,133 yards. His eight years with at least 1,000 combined yards tied for second in league history at the time of his retirement and currently rank second in Broncos annals.

In addition, Little’s 61 career games with at least 100 combined yards were the most in pro football during his nine-year career and represent the most in Broncos history (17 more than the next closest player).

In 117 career games (93 starts), Little posted 1,643 rushes for 6,323 yards with 43 touchdowns, 215 receptions for 2,418 yards with nine touchdowns, 104 kickoff returns for 2,523 yards, and 81 punt returns for 893 yards with two touchdowns.