Overview
Overcoming great obstacles to become a football legend
This autobiography traces the life of Floyd Little who was raised in poverty in New Haven, Connecticut, was bowlegged, sent off to military school, and told his IQ was too low to even consider college. He overcame those obstacles to become a three-time All-American football player at Syracuse University and one of the best NFL running backs of his era with the Denver Broncos. After football, he earned a law degree and ran a successful automobile dealership for more than 25 years. In Promises to Keep, Floyd Little reflects on a lifetime of beating the odds and achieving excellence on and off the field. He shares his memories from his record-setting seasons at Syracuse and in Denver and reflects on his long, unconventional road to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Author Biography
Floyd Little was the first draft pick to ever sign with the Denver Broncos. Known as “the Franchise,” he played in five Pro Bowls, was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Broncos Ring of Fame. He lives in Syracuse, New York. Tom Mackie is a freelance writer and member of the Pro Football Writers Association of America. They are the coauthors of Floyd Little’s Tales from the Broncos Sideline. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey. Tom Coughlin is a Syracuse graduate and the head coach of the NFL’s New York Giants. He led the Giants to victories in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI. He lives in Park Ridge, New Jersey.
Press Releases
Promises to Keep:
My Inspired Run from Syracuse to Denver to the Hall
By Floyd Little with Tom Mackie
Foreword by Tom Coughlin
CONTACT: Bill Ames ∙ Independent Publishers Group ∙ 312.337.0747 ext. 326 ∙ bames@ipgbook.com
A small player with an enormous drive to succeed, the story of Floyd Little is one of struggle, hard work and beating the odds. As he details in Promises to Keep: My Inspired Run from Syracuse to Denver to the Hall written by Little himself with Tom Mackie, the journey from scrawny kid with poor grades to Pro Football Hall of Famer with a law degree was not an easy one.
Growing up dirt poor with his single mother and six siblings in Waterbury, Connecticut, Little found himself failing out of school and constantly in and out of fights. After a life changing moment, he decided he needed an attitude overhaul and threw himself into school. Along the way he discovered his surprising talent on the football field and never looked back. In Promises to Keep, Little describes how his positive attitude and tireless struggle to succeed helped him become a three-time All-American running back for Syracuse University and Pro Football Hall of Famer. He also delves into:
- The conversation between him and Ernie Davis in a men's bathroom that led him to play for Syracuse
- His experience as the first ever first-round draft pick to sign with the Denver Broncos, giving him the nickname "The Franchise"
- How he balanced football with academics to graduate 40th in his class from University of Denver law school
- His long overdue induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dedicated, hard-working and highly respected, Little always maintained his humility and positive outlook- never once believing when someone told him he couldn't accomplish something. Inspiring, touching and often humorous, Promises to Keep celebrates the struggles and triumphs of this all-American football legend.
About the Author:
Floyd Little was the first draft pick to ever sign with the Denver Broncos. He played in five Pro Bowls and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Broncos Ring of Fame. He lives in Syracuse, New York.
Tom Mackie is a freelance writer and member of the Pro Football Writers Association of America. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.
Tom Coughlin is a Syracuse graduate and the head coach of the NFL's New York Giants. He led the Giants to victories in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI.
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