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When it comes to legendary former Denver Broncos, there is probably none more consequential than Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little. Little played for the Broncos between 1967-1975, becoming the face of the team through losing seasons. Little was so beloved, he earned the nickname "The Franchise."
Today, the legacy of Floyd Little lives on through Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little, a nonprofit organization started by his wife, DeBorah Little. Broncos Wire had the opportunity to speak with DeBorah about how Little's spirit of greatness and love continues to shine through the work of the foundation. This is part one of a three-part series about the foundation's beginnings, its important work and stories about Floyd Little, through the eyes of his wife.
Floyd Little passed away on January 1, 2021, 11 years after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "For at least a year and a half or so after he had passed away, I literally was living in the darkest period of my life," said DeBorah. "And in truth, I was kinda like in hell, and so as I began to stand up because I know that his -- the love is still alive -- the spirit of Floyd's love is still alive, I could hear his spirit telling me to get back into life; that God has an amazing plan for me and (Floyd) could see it and he didn't want me to be sad and crying and locked down. His love still lives on in me and my heart, and so with his loving spirit of encouragement, I started getting back into life and I promised him that I would not let people forget him easily."
After much prayer, DeBorah's answer was to give back in a way that Floyd and her both loved, through teaching and inspirational speaking. "I met with some of Floyd's friends from Syracuse University football, you know that were on a field with him; they said you gotta start a nonprofit," said DeBorah. "You have to start a nonprofit because for what you wanna do to keep Floyd's memory alive, you're gonna need grants, you're gonna need funding. This is not a for-profit venture. I took their advice and I started the nonprofit."
After a while, DeBorah wondered what to call the foundation. "(The) Holy Spirit gave it to me: 'Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little,' because that's what it's all about. It's about keeping Floyd's legacy alive in every way possible. And the ways that he loved; he loved teaching, he loved speaking to you. He loved going around the country speaking. That's how I started the nonprofit: just sitting still, being quiet and praying, 'what do I do now?' And it was start the foundation."
Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little will celebrate its first year of existence on May 5, 2025.
In part 2, DeBorah speaks about the foundation's important work with Syracuse, New York students, women and girls, and Hall of Fame widows.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Remembering Floyd Little through the eyes of his wife
Continue reading...
Today, the legacy of Floyd Little lives on through Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little, a nonprofit organization started by his wife, DeBorah Little. Broncos Wire had the opportunity to speak with DeBorah about how Little's spirit of greatness and love continues to shine through the work of the foundation. This is part one of a three-part series about the foundation's beginnings, its important work and stories about Floyd Little, through the eyes of his wife.
Floyd Little passed away on January 1, 2021, 11 years after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "For at least a year and a half or so after he had passed away, I literally was living in the darkest period of my life," said DeBorah. "And in truth, I was kinda like in hell, and so as I began to stand up because I know that his -- the love is still alive -- the spirit of Floyd's love is still alive, I could hear his spirit telling me to get back into life; that God has an amazing plan for me and (Floyd) could see it and he didn't want me to be sad and crying and locked down. His love still lives on in me and my heart, and so with his loving spirit of encouragement, I started getting back into life and I promised him that I would not let people forget him easily."
After much prayer, DeBorah's answer was to give back in a way that Floyd and her both loved, through teaching and inspirational speaking. "I met with some of Floyd's friends from Syracuse University football, you know that were on a field with him; they said you gotta start a nonprofit," said DeBorah. "You have to start a nonprofit because for what you wanna do to keep Floyd's memory alive, you're gonna need grants, you're gonna need funding. This is not a for-profit venture. I took their advice and I started the nonprofit."
After a while, DeBorah wondered what to call the foundation. "(The) Holy Spirit gave it to me: 'Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little,' because that's what it's all about. It's about keeping Floyd's legacy alive in every way possible. And the ways that he loved; he loved teaching, he loved speaking to you. He loved going around the country speaking. That's how I started the nonprofit: just sitting still, being quiet and praying, 'what do I do now?' And it was start the foundation."
Foundation 44: The Legacy of Floyd Little will celebrate its first year of existence on May 5, 2025.
In part 2, DeBorah speaks about the foundation's important work with Syracuse, New York students, women and girls, and Hall of Fame widows.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Remembering Floyd Little through the eyes of his wife
Continue reading...
