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LARRY LITTLE

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Larry Little began his pro football career with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the chargers in 1967 for a small sum of $750.00.

During his career in San Diego, Little played several positions, including fullback. Although he played both offense and defense in college, he was selected to play offense because of his speed and agility.

Two seasons later in July of 1969, Little was traded to Miami, where his pro football career flourished. Upon arriving in Miami, Larry immediately won the starting right guard position. He was a dominating force, allowing players like Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris to obtain the mileage necessary to win. Little was a key part of the early 70's domination which took Miami to 3 straight Super Bowls: 1971, '72 and '73. Miami was victorious back-to-back in 1972 and '73; and in the 1972 season, the Dolphins recorded the first undefeated and untied season (including playoffs) in NFL history (17-0). It remains an NFL record to this day.

Little played 12 seasons with Dolphins. During his time he played in 159 regular season games with 152 starting assignments. He also started 12 playoff games for Miami. Little earned All-Pro honors six times (1971-1975 and 1977) and was a Pro Bowl selection on five occasions. He was the first player in league history to be named as AFC offensive lineman of the year three straight seasons (1970-72) by the NFL Players Association. Little anchored the offensive line which helped set a then-NFL record 2,960 rushing yards during the Dolphins' "perfect season" in 1972, was named by the national 1,000-yard club as the league's outstanding blocker for the '72 campaign. Also during his stint in Miami he served as team captain for ten years. Little, a native Floridian, was the first Dolphin player inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on March 6, 1978.

After Little retired from football he went to coach at his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman College. He guided his team to two Mid Eastern Athletic Conference titles in nine years (1983-1991). In 1990, Little was voted as a guard on the Dolphins' Silver Anniversary All-Time Team.

In 1992 he became the first African American coach of the World Football League with the Ohio Glory. He then served as head coach for North Carolina Central University from 1993-1998. In 1993, after having been a finalist on three different occasions, Little was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Presently, Little serves as a career specialist for the Miami-Dade County public school system.