Floyd Little Last Home Game

Fans carry Floyd Little off the field after he played his final home game. Can you imagine fans being allowed onto the field in this day and age?

Former Denver Bronco running back Floyd Little’s death yesterday brought back memories of him playing his last home game. It was December 14, 1975 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the original Mile High Stadium. It was my first season to be the Broncos team photographer and Floyd’s last season as a player. And what a player he was, often referred to as “The Franchise”.

I’ve compiled a photo narrative from this game as my tribute to not only a great player, but a great man.

Denver Bronco Floyd Little was last player introduced to fans on December 14, 1975 – his last home game.

Floyd was the last player onto the field during team introductions. As he ran onto the field he had to negotiate thru the line-up of photographers to reach teammates waiting for him on the sideline. The stadium might look empty to you, but the upper tier of the north stands were still under construction. Fans were making plenty of noise.

Of course there was plenty of game action to photograph. Interesting sidelight as I look back at these images, shot with traditional 35mm Nikon cameras. Cameras that were manually operated. No auto-focus, no auto exposure, no LCD screen to review images immediately upon capture. Photographers didn’t know if they’d captured the peak action or best moments until the film was processed in a darkroom after the game. We often thought we had “the shot” based on our experience, but never knew for sure until later. Unlike today, the sidelines were less crowded and it was easier to cover a game. Fewer cheerleaders, fewer photographers, fewer freeloaders to block the view and get in the way.

Broncos Head coach John Ralston congratulates Floyd Little as he leaves the field near the end of his last home game.

Retiring running back Floyd Little is overcome with emotions during the final minutes of his last home game. He buries his head on head coach John Ralston’s shoulder.

As the game progressed to the fourth quarter I remember feeling a sense of tension, anticipation throughout the stadium, knowing Floyd was nearing the end of his NFL career. His last home game. Instead of continuing to photograph the action, I positioned myself near the team bench to photograph the emotion I was sure would happen. Sure enough, Coach John Ralston ran onto the field to congratulate Floyd as he came out of the game for the last time. Moments later he and the coach shared the above emotional moment. Another sidelight about sports coverage then, it was often easier to “bend the rules” of game coverage. Photographers could never be within the team bench area, yet I managed these photographs taken inside that sacred space. Normally that encroachment would get you thrown out of the stadium. I was also allowed early access into the team locker room, before it was opened to the media, and got the shot of teammates congratulating Floyd.

Members of sports media surround Floyd Little for post game interviews in the locker room.

You often see players from both teams meet on the field after the game, usually to congratulate or console, say hello to a friend (remember players are always being traded, get to know one another off the field and from different teams). This night saw many Eagles players specifically seeking out Floyd to offer their congratulations to him not only for the Broncos win, but more importantly on his accomplishments as a running back and upcoming retirement.

Least I forget, if it  even matters – the Broncos won the game 25-10.