Former Gators linebacker David Little went on to play in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (File photo)
David Little to be Inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 | Football
Enshrinement set for Nov. 12 in Orlando.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida Athletic Hall of Famer and 1980 All-American linebacker David Little is one of 11 distinguished honorees who will make up the 2019 class elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
Other members of the class include Pat Williams (Former Orlando Magic Executive), Annika Sorenstam (Golf), Dante Culpepper (Football), Nick Anderson (NBA), Jason Varitek (MLB), Chris Weinke (Football), Chuck Rohe (Track/Administration), Pete Dunn (Baseball), Winston Dubose (Soccer) and Lois Webb (Volleyball).
"This class truly represents what is great about sports in Florida," said FSHOF President Barry Smith, "These 11 new inductees have reached the pinnacle in seven different sports. Collectively, these honorees have either played in or won college or professional championships, captured golf majors, represented their country on national teams, or played significant roles in the history of sports in this state. It is an incredibly accomplished and deserving class."
Little is perhaps the most outstanding linebacker in program history, which includes eight other First Team All-Americans and six first-round draft picks.
Overall, the Miami native was a three-year starter and totaled nine interceptions and a school-record 475 tackles. During his All-America campaign in 1980, Little anchored a defense that assisted in the biggest one-year turnaround in the history of NCAA Division I football, from 0–10–1 in 1979 to an 8–4 bowl team in 1980.
For his efforts, he was a 1980 First Team All-Southeastern Conference selection, a consensus First Team All-American and the recipient of the Gators' Fergie Ferguson Award recognizing the "senior football player who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage."
Little was chosen in the seventh round (183rd pick overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft by Pittsburgh and played for the Steelers from 1981 to 1992. He was a middle linebacker for the team, at one point starting 89 games in a row. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1990 season and was named the Steelers Team MVP in 1988.
Little tragically died on March 17, 2005, as the result of a weight-lifting accident when he was just 46 years old. He was survived by his wife Denise, their two sons, David Jr, Darian, and daughter, De'Aira. Also surviving David are, his mother Ida, four older sisters, and his older brother, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Florida Hall of Fame member Larry Little, an All-Pro guard for the Miami Dolphins.
David and Larry are the second set of brothers inducted into FSHOF, joining Donnie (2000) and Bobby (1986) Allison.
In its 58th year of honoring the state's brightest sports figures, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame continues its mission to honor Florida's vast sports heritage by taking the inspiring stories of its 271 current members to the people of the state. This outreach is the hallmark of the modern-day Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall recently opened a state-of-the-art museum and preview center for memorabilia provided by its members located directly in the center of the state. But today's Hall of Fame is about more than brick and mortar. With its "Fame for Kids" initiative, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame has embarked on a journey to take its message across the state of Florida to raise money and awareness for causes that effect our youth.
Enshrinement is set for Nov. 12 in Orlando. For sponsorship and ticket information, please visit www.FlasportsHOF.org.
Gators in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame
- David Little
- Mick Hubert
- Tim Tebow
- Jeremy Foley
- Fred Taylor
- Mary Wise
- Catie Ball
- Bill Buchalter
- Emmitt Smith
- Danny Wuerffel
- Nicole Haislette (Bacher)
- Dr. Ruth Alexander
- Gene Deckerhoff
- Bill France, Jr.
- Steve Melnyk
- Andy Bean
- Nat Moore
- Stephen C. O'Connell
- Scot Brantley
- Frank Shorter
- Norm Carlson
- Tracy Caulkins
- Wes Chandler
- Cris Collinsworth
- Ottis Boggs
- Richard "Dick" Pace
- Jimmy Carnes
- Newton Perry
- Nash Higgins
- Marcelino Huerta
- Jack Youngblood
- J. Rex Farrior
- General James Van Fleet
- Dale Van Sickel
- Steve Spurrier
- Rick Casares
- Red Barber
- Ray Graves
- Doug Sanders
- Charles Casey
- Al Rosen
- Walter Mayberry
- Don Fleming
- Forest Ferguson
- Glenn Roberts
Play Breakdown with Billy Gonzales presented by Tower Hill Insurance (November 5, 2025)
Wednesday, November 05
Billy Gonzales Media Availability 11-5-25
Wednesday, November 05
Play Breakdown with Billy Gonzales presented by Tower Hill Insurance 11-5-25
Wednesday, November 05
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth (November 4, 2025)
Tuesday, November 04
