The Quiet Man

Denver sports-talk host Thierry Smith has survived by speaking softly in a loud, loud world.

A A A Comments (1) By T.R. Witcher Thursday, Apr 17 1997

...continued from page 5

Walker didn't know at the time that Smith had MS; he was only aware that Smith was sick with something. At the time, nobody knew Ali had Parkinson's Disease, either. But Smith was talking about Ali's last three bouts, when people knew he had lost a few steps but didn't know why.

"His focus and sincerity talking about Ali was so genuine that I don't think he was trying to reflect on his own situation at all," says Walker, in retrospect. "He was trying to come to grips with such a great champion who had fallen.

"He can see the humanness of sports because of what's happened to him," Walker adds. "That side of the story needs to be told more.

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Darrell L. Newton 06/12/2010 6:56:00 PM

Hi, My name is Darrell L. Newton. This is an attempt to contact Mr. Floyd D. Little. Willard "Bill" L. Newton Sr., my father has been a personal friend of Mr. Little through the sixties & seventies and beyond. My father owned one of the few black business' in Denver at the time. "NEWTON & SONS" barber shop, located on 28th & Madison. My two older brothers and I actually helped cut hair for the Denver Broncos during training camp as well as through the community. Our mother and father spent valuable time with the Little family. My father, "Bill", educated himself and became well known in the Denver area for his service in helping minorities become employed and educated. He knows all the former broncos and helped them deal with Denver in the 60's & on. Lionel Taylor, Willie Brown, Chuck Gavin, Ike Lassaster, Gene Mingo, Mr. Little and many many others. Dad has been a long time fan as well as a good friend to many people in Denver including Mr. Wellington Webb and his family, Mr. Irving Andrews, Regis Groff and again many many others. He has been retired and is living in Tucson, AZ. My wife Felicia and I currently share season tickets, we ran into Mr. Little and his wife in the Broncos store at Invesco Field, he was a guest for the 50 year reunion game. We got to talk and I have myself with him in a picture. He asked about my father so my wife gave his wife all my dad's information. We did not give any of ours or get any of his. Mr. Little and I talked about his home on Monaco & Montview, how my dad, my brothers and I helped him move into his Cherry Hills home. We even talked about the clothes he had made for us at his downtown Taylor Shop. Mr. Little said he would contact my dad if and when he heard from the Hall OF FAME, he wants to invite him. Felicia and I just returned from visiting Tucson and learned two things; Our stepmother, Carla, is from Canton, OH and that my father had not heard from Mr. Little. My middle brother, Willard L. Jr (55), has spoken with Mr. D. S. Elliott before, requesting Mr. Elliott to speak at a phone company business function. The oldest, Ricky L. Newton (57) was a close friend of Thierry Smith and is currently working for the Government in Golden. We would very much like to congratulate Mr. Little, but most of all attempt to make sure my father gets the opportunity to wish him well. Bill Newton deserves to be in the Hall also. It would be the icing on his cake to speak to Mr. Little. If any of this message gets through to anyone, anyone who can assist in making the connection between our families, it most certainly will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation Darrell L (53) & Felicia Y. Newton 23097 E. Orchard PL. Aurora, CO 80015 303.627.5307 hm 720.982.9332 cell coupleofnewts@q.com Bill & Carla Newton 10161 E. Queensgate Wy. Tucson, AZ 85748 520.546.9284 hm 520.309.5110 cell red55bold@aol.com