University of Tennessee Athletics
Catching Up: Leonard Little
August 26, 2011 | Football
It's still sinking in for Leonard Little, but the former Tennessee football great appears at ease with his recent decision to retire from football and begin a new part of his life.
"I'm beginning a new chapter and I'm ready," said Little, who earlier this week attended a UT football practice to speak to the team at Haslam Field. "I'm living over in Charlotte and looking forward to getting started with this new phase in my life."
Little played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the St. Louis Rams, the last in 2009. Six times he led the team in sacks, including four years with double figures. His Rams won a Super Bowl in 1999 in a memorable finish against the Tennessee Titans, and then nearly claimed another two years later before losing to the New England Patriots.
But Tennessee fans remember Little most for his All-America year of 1997 in Knoxville, when Peyton Manning and he captained the Vols to the SEC Championship. For all his accomplishments, Little is being recognized as a UT Legend prior to the Oct. 15 game against LSU.
"It is quite an honor for me to go out there and represent Tennessee the best way I can," Little said. "Actually, I'm kind of nervous. I haven't been on the field in that sort of a circumstance since I left here, so I am wondering how the fans will react and how it's going to go.
"But I'm looking forward to it."
Second to Reggie White
Originally from Asheville, N.C., Little played three seasons for the Vols (1995-97) and split his time between middle linebacker and defensive end. Known for his hard hits and quarterback sacks, Little finished his career second to Reggie White on UT's all-time sack list with 28.
Little's best season was 1997, when he compiled 11 sacks among his 87 total tackles. For his efforts, Little was named All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC by the Associated Press.
"I remember the players and the people I was around - Peyton (Manning), Al (Wilson), Jamal Lewis and people like that," Little recalls of his UT days. "We'll be friends for the rest of our lives because of the experiences we had at Tennessee."
Little asked to attend practice and was invited by UT head coach Derek Dooley to see how the 2011 Vols were shaping up and also relay a few words to the team.
"I talked to them about finishing plays, team camaraderie and things they can do to get better as a team and as individuals - little stuff like that they can use," Little said. "I know they are only college students, but they can still use some of the things I told them to help them out in everyday life."
`Upside Is Tremendous'
Little liked what he saw from practice and expects things to improve for the program in the very near future.
"They are getting recruits now for the positions they want them to play and the upside is tremendous here," he said. "This year they are going to get better, and they are going to have a good team in the next couple of years to come."
Dooley always appreciates when former Vols take the time to visit practice or come to games. He says it helps pass along Tennessee's tradition to those wearing the pads today.
"Leonard has his picture on the wall," Dooley said. "He's an All-American. He was a part one of those banners in there and that's what we're playing for.
"He's a guy who lived it and breathed it. I think he lost about four games in his career and then went on to be a great NFL player. The more guys that come back, I love it when they get in front of the team."
Now that retirement from professional football is real, Little's immediate career plans are still up in the air. He knows one path he wants to take, whether it be full-time or in a volunteer capacity.
"I want to work with kids in some sort of way," he said. "I can help young people get through certain situations and certain things they go through in life. I went through a lot of things when I was younger, so I think I can help kids in that aspect."
Did You Know?
Vols assistant coaches Jim Chaney and Charlie Baggett both spent time on the St. Louis Rams staff during Leonard Little's playing career. Chaney coached there from 2006-08 and Baggett was there for the 2009 season.
