Earl Little
{{Short description|American football player (born 1973)}}
{{Distinguish|text=lay minister Earl Little, father of Malcolm X}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Earl Little
| number = 20, 21
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|3|10}}
| birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 202
| high_school = North Miami Senior (FL){{Cite web|title=Dolphins' free-agent take includes Little|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/641900243/?match=1&terms=%22earl%20little%22|access-date=2024-10-28|website=The Miami Herald|language=en-US}}
| college = Michigan
Miami (FL)
| undraftedyear = 1997
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins (1997)*{{cite book |title=Saints 1998 Media Guide |page=98 |url=https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/saints/zw25jmlyethsx8stxnyz.pdf |access-date=11 October 2024}}
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|1997|1999}})
- Cleveland Browns (1999-{{NFL Year|2004}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2005}})
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 304
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 18
| pfr = LittEa20
}}
Earl Jerome Little (born March 10, 1973) is an American former professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for nine years from 1997 to 2005 with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. Little played college football at the University of Miami.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 3/4
| weight = 183
| dash = 4.62
| ten split = 1.61
| twenty split = 2.72
| shuttle = 4.49
| cone drill = 7.58
| vertical = 31.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| bench = 2
| arm span = 31 3/4
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=22996 |title=Earl Little, Combine Results, CB - Miami (FL) |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=January 6, 2023}}
}}
=New Orleans Saints=
Little was signed as an undrafted free agent before the 1997 NFL season. He started on special teams and was a backup cornerback. His special teams coach, Bobby April, always praised Little outstanding special teams play. During the third preseason game vs the Denver Broncos, he made a big hit and he was taken off the field because of a concussion. Little missed the last preseason game and the first three games of the 1999 season. He was released by the Saints on October 24, 1999.
=Cleveland Browns=
He was picked up by the Browns off Waivers from the Saints on October 26, 1999. After having an outstanding season, Little signed a three-year multimillion-dollar contract. After having three good seasons (2001–2003), the Browns rewarded him with a five-year multimillion-dollar contract. He spent six seasons with the Browns until being released on 1 April 2005.
=Green Bay Packers=
Little was signed as a free agent on April 15, 2005. Little pulled his hamstring on October 4, 2005 on Monday Night Football vs Carolina Panthers. He was placed on injured reserve. To make room for a roster spot, he was released on November 23, 2005. Even though he was done for the remainder of the season, Little received his full salary for the 2005 season.