Larry Little, a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman with the Miami Dolphins who starred as a player, then served as coach at Bethune Cookman, received an incredible honor Monday in his hometown.
Little, the anchor of the Dolphins’ undefeated ’72 team and repeat Super Bowl-winning offensive line in 1973, was on hand for a street named in his honor in Miami thanks to a resolution by the city’s commissioners that was passed in January.
The section of Northwest 14th Street between 7th and 1st Avenue is now known as Larry C. Little Way. To commemorate the occasion, Little was joined by several Dolphin teammates, including running back Mercury Morris.
Little graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1964 and was a three-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection at Bethune Cookman, playing on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Wildcats. After two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Little was traded to his hometown Dolphins in 1969, earning an American Football League All-Pro nod in his first season.
At guard, Little would go on to clear the way for running backs Mercury Morris, the late Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka as the Dolphins made three consecutive Super Bowls in the early 70s, winning Super Bowl VII over the Washington Commanders and Super Bowl VIII over the Minnesota Vikings.
After retiring from active play, Little returned to Daytona to guide his alma mater for nine seasons, including a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and Coach of the Year award in 1984. He also coached at North Carolina Central, then in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, for six seasons.
His 15-year record as a head coach was 78-80-1.
Little was a part of the NFL’s team of the decade for the 1970s, played in five Pro Bowls, and is on the Dolphins all-time honor roll and Walk of Fame.
He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
