Doug Flutie's Football Odyssey

SI Staff | May 16, 2006

Doug Flutie's Football Odyssey /

Doug Flutie's Football Odyssey

A star athlete from Natick, Mass., Doug Flutie was recruited by only one D-I school. By the end of his freshman season (1981), he was Boston College's starting quarterback.

On Nov. 23, 1984, Flutie faced off against Miami's Bernie Kosar in the Orange Bowl. With 28 seconds remaining and the Eagles trailing 45-41, Flutie threw a 48-yard Hail Mary pass that Gerald Phelan hauled down in the back of the end zone to give BC the upset.

The "Miracle in Miami" brought Flutie national fame and helped him win the Heisman Trophy over Bernie Kosar.

When he left Boston College in 1984, Flutie was the NCAA's all-time passing yardage leader with 10,579 yards.

Despite Flutie's accomplishments as a senior, scouts remained leery about his size. He was drafted with the 285th pick by the Los Angeles Rams but signed with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.

Flutie played one year with the New Jersey Generals before the league folded.

In 1987, with the NFL locked in a labor dispute, Flutie crossed the picket line and started several games for the Chicago Bears.

After a brief stint with the Bears, Flutie returned home to quarterback the New England Patriots. He experienced modest success and eventually departed for the Canadian Football League.

In his eight years in the CFL, Flutie dominated the league, winning three Grey Cup championships, one with the Calgary Stampeders and two with the Toronto Argonauts (left). In six of his eight seasons, Flutie was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player.

Flutie's success in the CFL earned him a trip back to the NFL, where he signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1998.

Flutie led the Bills to a 10-6 record in 1998 and was named the Comeback Player of the Year before becoming embroiled in a quarterback controversy with Rob Johnson.

Signed in 2001 by San Diego, Flutie appeared in spot duty for the Chargers over the next three seasons.

In 2005, Flutie, then 43, rejoined the Patriots as the backup for Tom Brady.

In his final appearance in an NFL game, Flutie converted a drop-kick extra point during the second half of a home game against the Dolphins.

Flutie was mobbed by his teammates after successfully completing the first drop-kick extra-point in the NFL since 1941. On May 15, after 21 years in professional football, he announced his retirement.

Published May 16, 2006

SI STAFF