Pro Football has lost another great as it was announced today as Hall of Fame Running Back, Floyd Little, passed away at age 78 after a battle with cancer.

A three-time All-American at Syracuse, Little was taken by the Broncos in 1967 with the sixth overall pick. Playing for Denver for the entirety of his nine-year career, Little went to five Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 1969.  He would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,133) in 1971 and Rushing Touchdowns (12) in 1973.

At the time of his retirement his 6,323 Rushing Yards were seventh all-time.  

Little was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His number 44 has been retired by both the Broncos and Orange.  

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend condolences to the friends, fans and family of Floyd Little.

Bennett went undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2009 but was signed by the Seattle Seahawks, though he was released after a brief run on the practice squad.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed him, where he made the team and as a backup Defensive End. Bennett became a starter in 2011, and in 2012, he had his best year as a Buccaneer with nine Sacks and 41 Tackles.

Marshal Yanda had an illustrious career with the Baltimore Ravens and is considered one of the best Offensive Linemen in the team's history. If not for Jonathan Ogden, he would undoubtedly be the best.

Yanda was selected in the third round of the draft from Iowa. He started 12 of his 16 games as a rookie and was a permanent fixture on the right side of the line from 2010 until his retirement in 2019. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 and went on to receive this honor a total of eight times. He was a two-time First Team All-Pro and a Second Team Selection five times. His presence on the O-Line helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII, and his footwork and blocking techniques were so perfect that Offensive Guards will be studying his work for years.

Yanda's lunch pail work ethic made him a star in the eyes of his peers, coaches, and fans. He was one of the most regimented players in the game, and barring injury never having an off year. He was an All-Decade Player and a pleasure to watch play.

Luke Kuechly was the best Linebacker in the NCAA in 2011, where the Boston College player would win the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Lott Trophy. He was drafted Ninth Overall in that year's draft by the Carolina Panthers, and he would immediately establish himself as one of the best interior linemen in the pro ranks.

Kuechly started originally but was playing at the exterior until Jon Beason was injured, and Kuechly would take over at his natural Middle Linebacker position.  He would win the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and astounding as that was, this was arguably the weakest of his career.

From 2013 to 2019, he would be named to the Pro Bowl, with five of those seasons, seeing Kuechly be named First Team All-Pro.  In the two that he didn't win that honor, he was a Second Team All-Pro.  Kuechly would win the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013.  Except for this rookie season, he had an Approximate Value of at least 10, and he was a two-time leader in Tackles.

On the field, Kuechly was a master of all trades.  He excelled as a pass rusher, a run stopper, and a versatile defender who could drop back with ease.  His exemplary tackling skills and natural instincts made him the undisputed leader of the Panther's defence from the moment he joined. Under his leadership, the Panthers thrived, culminating in their appearance in Super Bowl 50.

If Kuechly had a calling card, it was his high football IQ.  The definition of a defensive captain, few could read an offence as he could.  Adaptable to any defensive scheme, Kuechly was a linebacking masterpiece.

He retired with 18 Interceptions and 1,092 Tackles, the latter being the most by any Linebacker since 2012.  Kuechly has become another player in recent years to retire at the height of their game.