Miami Dolphins legend Larry Little will mark the release of his new biography, “From the Outhouse to the Penthouse: The Football Journey of Football Hall of Famer Larry Little,” with a book signing in Daytona Beach on Sunday.
Little’s story, written by author Joe Zagorski, recounts his journey from poverty in Groveland, Georgia, and later Miami, through a standout career as a player with the Miami Dolphins. Little told his story by phone from his home in Miami, explaining that unlike books by Bob Griese or Larry Csonka, which focused mostly on their time playing for the Miami Dolphins, “My book is about growing up, not in great surroundings, and becoming a Miami Dolphin.” He added detail to these early years: “Yes, it’s true. The bathroom was in the backyard,” Little said.
Moving to Miami as a child presented its own set of challenges. “It was Overtown in the Jim Crow era,” Little said. Reflecting on overcoming adversity and disbelief from others in his youth, he shared: “Everything I had to go through … people not believing in me, not thinking I was gonna be anything, really. Suspended twice in elementary school. Having a lisp and my mom sending me to a speech therapist to try to help me. Having to believe in myself. But my goal was always, from a young kid, to play professional football. It was a journey.”
The book also discusses difficult aspects of family life. “Growing up, I had an abusive, alcoholic father,” he said. He reflected on his late brother George: “Had a brother, George, who was a genius but became a drug addict. He was shot and killed at 30. Murdered on the streets of Miami.” Little continued: “He was four years older than me and really was a genius. He went to Howard University on a math and chemistry scholarship. He was who I really looked up to. He could do it all. He could sing and dance, and if he’d wanted to be, he could’ve been a great athlete.”
After high school at Booker T. Washington and college at Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU), Little joined the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1969. His career highlights include five first-team All-Pro selections and playing a key role during the perfect season of 1972 under head coach Don Shula.
Following retirement as a player in 1980, Little returned to B-CU as head coach from 1983 through 1991, winning two conference championships before departing after back-to-back losing seasons. Recalling that period he said it ended “Unceremoniously,” though there had been an official press conference marking his departure.
In 1993 he coached North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and achieved a memorable win over B-CU when NCCU came to Daytona Beach as an underdog and won handily—a moment that remains significant for Little: “We beat ’em!” he exclaimed when recalling the event.
Larry Little will host his book signing Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Books-A-Million inside Volusia Mall during B-CU’s homecoming weekend.
The publication of this biography offers readers new insight into Little’s experiences both on and off the field.
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