Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time
By Dante Pryor
27. Larry Little, offensive guard, Bethune-Cookman University
Larry Little’s name is synonymous with championships. Even after his playing days with the Dolphins, Little returned to his beloved alma mater, Bethune-Cookman, and won two MEAC titles (1984 and 1988). In addition, three of his former players went on to be enshrined in a hall of fame. J.D. Hall (MEAC), Jeff Parker (B-CU) and Stevie Thomas (AFL) are Hall of Famers like their coach.
Little’s NFL career did not have a hall of fame beginning. First, Little went undrafted in 1967 and signed with the Sand Diego Chargers. Little chose San Diego after the Chargers offered him the most significant signing bonus.
The bonus was $750. Little asked to be released after less than a week. Head coach Sid Gillman persuaded Little to stay, but Little did not play much.
After middling on the Charger’s depth chart for two seasons, LIttle was traded to the Dolphins. “I didn’t particularly like the trade,” Little says now. “The Dolphins weren’t much then.” However, what was in Miami was an opportunity to start.
Little would be part of one of the best offensive lines in football history. But, instead, little was part of an offensive line that helped open holes for Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick.
In eleven seasons with the Dolphins, Little won two Super Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro. Little’s career is proof that it does not matter where you start but where you finish.