Little finally in Canton

Floyd Little and his presenter, son Marc Little, are introduced at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Scott Heckel)

Ed. Note: I felt this was worth bumping to the top of BT today. Congrats again to Floyd Little.

“I truly believe that none of us is anything until the least of us is something.“

The man who single-handedly kept the Broncos in Denver stepped to the podium in Canton, Ohio Saturday donning his gold Hall of Fame suit coat. Behind him stood his son Marc, who had just delivered a wonderful introduction for the man he called his best friend.

“I’m still standing!” Floyd Little shouted just before he began his speech.

It’s been a long road for Little, who retired 35 years ago as the Broncos’ all-time leading rusher (only the franchise’s Terrell Davis has since topped that mark).  That road included 6,323 rushing yards, 12,203 all-purpose yards, three Pro Bowls, and 30 long, long years of waiting.

“The road was always not so easy or clear. I remember being a strong, but angry young man in school and I used my strength in ways that became my weakness. After being kicked out of school, I reached and impasse in my life. Everything was done, the hopes were shattered and done.“

Little went on to speak on how his father came to him in a vision and told him that he’d been given his name so that he could make something of himself.

“With the help of those that saw the good in me, I was re-enrolled in school with determination and not only did I become the president of my class, but I started my journey as a leader in everything that I did and I never looked back.“

Little gave thanks to players and coaches like Jim Brown, Ernie Barnes, Billy Thompson and Lou Saban. He also gave credit and thanks to the likes of (Hall of Fame committee member and eminent Denver beat writer) Jeff Legwold, (Broncos Vice President of Corporate Communications) Jim Saccomano and the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden before mentioning Pat Bowlen, the whole Broncos organization, and the fans, for all of their loyalty over the years.

“Everything else pales in comparison; every player suits up hoping to have this honor that I am and I encourage you all to continue to dream for this moment.“

Little conjured the powerful voice of a Southern Preacher and hit full throttle as he spoke encouraging and uplifting words to all who would listen.

“Every person that I will hear my voice [I encourage you] don’t listen to the naysayer, I have plenty of those. don’t listen to those that will judge you for your rough edges, don’t focus on your weakness so [that] you won’t become a victim. Find the goodness in you that says, yes I can!“

After roaring applause, which may have been due to the Obama reference or more-so to the amount of people who had just been uplifted by a man named Little; he closed out with,

“The good in you is better than the worst in most. The choice is yours, be the best that you can be. I truly believe that none of us is anything until the least of us is something.“

Such an impassioned and inspiring speech from one of the greatest of all time. Thank you number forty four.