tales from the Broncos sidelinesIn honor of his new book, Tales From the Broncos Sidelines, being released, Floyd Little recently took some time to answer select questions submitted by the fans from BroncosFreak.com. What follows is part 2 of 3:

Quiettiger: What do you think of the Terrell Owens type players who get all the press in today’s media circus. Do you think they deserve all the press and attention that they are getting? How were players treated like this “back in the day”?
I know Terrell Owens is a talented receiver, but I wouldn’t want him on my team. Regardless of what he says I don’t believe he’s a team player and I think he’s too much of a distraction. Football is a team sport and there are 53 players on that team. It’s not 52 players and one guy that take away from the team by calling attention to himself. If someone like that was on my team, I would go to the owner or coach and say, “You can either have ‘T.O.’ on your team or me. You can’t have both.” I bet at least 80 percent of my teammates would say the same thing. We’d also handle it in the locker room, not in front of the press. Too much is done in front of the press these days. How’d you like to be Bill Parcells answering questions about Owens every day? And the media asking him, why Owens can’t play if he doesn’t practice! Do they really need that explained to them? Parcells shouldn’t have to go on TV every day to explain his decisions. If you don’t practice, you don’t play. That’s the way it’s always been in football.

ElwayKYfan: What was the hardest thing about being a Bronco during your playing days? If you could change something about your career what would it be?
Obviously the losing was extremely difficult. It was frustrating that we never made the playoffs. It took a long time to get enough talent to become contenders. By then I was retired. But being a year or two late for things has become my charge in life. I was drafted in 1967, the first year of the common draft. Had I been drafted the year before, I would have made a lot more money because as a first-round pick there would have been a bidding war for me between NFL and AFL teams. When I retired, it all changed and players started getting paid bigger bucks. But, looking back I don’t regret anything. I was drafted by a team, the Broncos, that I didn’t know a lot about but became my family. I played in front of the greatest fans in the world and lived in a Denver community that hailed me as “The Franchise.” We didn’t win a lot, but I gave it everything I had every time I laced ’em up on Sundays. I think it was my destiny to play for the Broncos. Fans continue to remember me and say, “Thanks.” My life has been great because of the fans and the friendships I’ve forged here.

BroncosFreak: In the book, you touched on how meaningful the Broncos first Super Bowl victory was, and especially when John Elway acknowledged your contribution to that many years before. Can you tell us a little about the feelings you had in the final minutes of Super Bowl 32?
You sit there and realize the Broncos reached this seemingly unattainable goal and an enormous amount of emotion pours through you. It’s a dream come true and we were all a part of it whether you’re a former Bronco, a life-long fan, or a member of the organization. It was surreal. One final fourth-down knockdown by linebacker John Mobley and suddenly we’re World Champs. Super Bowl winners finally vindicated by the media, and the NFL for never giving us respect, like putting us on Monday Night Football until my seventh season. Plus, to beat the World Champion Packers, a team we were something like 12-point underdogs. Once again, we weren’t given a chance. For the first time in the franchise’s history we can say, “Take that!” I remember sitting back and thinking, “You were the team’s first number one pick. You and your teammates had something to do with this.” Because we endured all those years of a lack of respect and never quit, we helped the Broncos grow as an organization. Then, for someone like John Elway to crystallize all those feelings by telling me I helped lay the foundation really cemented my place in Broncos history.

Quiettiger: How can fans help you with your Hall of fame bid?
You know, it’s funny you say that because I was sent a handful of notes that fans like you have said about my contributions to the team here on Broncosfreak. And I’m thinking, “This is what the Hall of Fame seniors committee should read!” The people that know, the people who matter, are the fans. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your kind words and support.
I’m not sure why I continue to be passed over. I retired as the 7th leading rusher in NFL history and the six players who finished in front of me made it years ago. I think I’m the only player NOT in the hall who fans and media nicknamed “The Franchise” during their careers. So there is validity to why people say I’m long overdue. Now, I’m getting up in age (64) and I probably don’t have too many chances left.
I’d say if fans want to support my candidacy the best thing they can do is send in a petition to the nine Seniors Committee Members who vote on “old-timers” like me or write letters and tell them why you think I should be in. I’m told any fan can nominate a player and I believe the Hall of Fame web site lists the Seniors voters. (Editors note: You can find that list here.) Who knows, someday with the help from the great Broncos fans like you, I could be wearing that bright mustard jacket in Canton!

If you enjoy hearing these stories, I’d encourage you to pick up the book, where Floyd goes more in depth on most of this material and much more. You can also read part 1 and part 2.

Floyd, thank you for taking the time to pass along the legacy of the Broncos to so many fans who have come on board since then. This team truly stands on the shoulders of you and others who established the Broncos in Denver before our time.

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