Doug Flutie

[sgt.null]

Flutie converts NFL's first drop kick since 1941

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
January 1, 2006

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- For 21 years, Doug Flutie's career has been defined by one play. Now the "Hail Flutie" has its historic bookend. The 43-year-old Patriots backup converted the NFL's first successful drop kick since 1941, making an extra point in the fourth quarter of the Miami Dolphins' mostly meaningless 28-26 victory Sunday over New England. "I think Doug deserves it," said usually dour Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who broke into a wide smile when his sprightly quarterback split the uprights off one bounce. "He is a guy that adds a lot to this game of football, has added a lot through his great career -- running, passing and now kicking. "He's got a skill and we got a chance to let him use it, and I am happy for him. First time since '41," said Belichick, a football historian who last month brought out a leather helmet in his media session. "It might be 60 years again, too." According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame web site, the league's last drop kick for points was on Dec. 21, 1941 -- two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor -- when Ray "Scooter" McLean converted for the Chicago Bears to beat the New York Giants 37-9 in the NFL championship game. "Flutie might have been there the last time it happened," placekicker Adam Vinatieri joked. The ball was more round until 1934, making the bounce more predictable. And the rules were changed to require the kicker to be behind the line of scrimmage, relegating the drop kick to a riskier version of a place kick or extra point. But when ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman mentioned to Belichick that he'd seen Flutie drop kick, the coach called his qb into his office and asked if he could do it. "I said, 'I could do it,"' Flutie said. "'There's no real application for it, but I could do it."' A native of nearby Natick, Flutie won the Heisman Trophy at Boston College after connecting with Gerard Phelan on a 48-yard touchdown pass to beat Miami as time expired. That is his signature play -- and one of the most memorable in college football history. With the Patriots already happy with their playoff seeding, Tom Brady sat out most of the game so Matt Cassel, who's usually No. 3 behind Flutie, could get some snaps. He hit Tim Dwight for a 9-yard touchdown with 6:10 left, and Flutie came onto the field with the kicking unit. "It sort of screwed me up," said Dolphins coach Nick Saban, who needed a timeout to get things straight. "I couldn't figure out what was going on. They had a quarterback in, four tight ends and a receiver and there was no kicker." Flutie took his position for a regular shotgun snap, then retreated to the 12 yard-line to await the ball; he caught the ball, dropped it to the grass and kicked it off the short hop straight through the uprights. After getting a hug on the field by his teammates, Flutie ran off to embrace Belichick. Even Saban appreciated the moment. "I was kind of pleased to know that somebody can still drop kick," Saban said. "Man, when I was a kid we all practiced that. Thought it was a lost art. "But," he added, "you know Flutie showed his age on that one."
He hasn't said he will retire, but the impression that this is his final season was reinforced by Belichick's postgame valedictory. "It's possible, but I'm not going to rule anything out," Flutie said. "But if that ends up being my last play, it wouldn't be bad."

[sgt.null]

The offensive machine: With 11,318 total yards of offense, he was the NCAA's all-time leader surpassing Jim McMahon's record. He threw for 10,579 yards threw the air and ran for 739. In his Heisman Trophy winning senior year, he was 233 of 386 for 3,454 yards and 27 touchdown passes. But it was one magical, rainy day in Miami that made him a college football legend. The throw: In 1984, Flutie and Boston College got on the map early with a 38-31 upset of Alabama on national television scoring on the final play of the game. Then on November 22nd, the Eagles and Flutie played in one of college football's greatest games. It was the day after Thanksgiving and two weeks after the Hurricanes blew a 31-0 lead to lose to Maryland in painful fashion. In a game that would resemble a pinball game more than a college football game played in windy and rainy conditions, Miami QB Bernie Kosar threw for 447 yards and two touchdowns while UM RB Melvin Bratton would run for 134 yards and four TDs including what appeared to be the game-winning run with 28 seconds to play. Yeah, yeah, yeah, now about The Play. Down 45-41 and 48 yards away, Flutie scrambled to his right, narrowly averting a sack, then let it fly. There was no way he could throw it that far. He threw it from around his own 37-yard line which means the 5’9” QB would have to wing it 63+ yards after already throwing the ball 45 times and scrambling around all game long. Amazingly enough, WR Gerard Phelan had gotten behind the Miami secondary, as the Hurricanes didn’t think Flutie could get it to the end zone. The ball came straight down over the mass of players untouched into Phelan’s arms. Phelan would finish with 11 catches and 226 yards while Flutie went 34 of 46 for 476 yards, three TDs, one miracle, and one Heisman Trophy. Boston College would finish the season 10-2 with BC's first bowl win since 1941 with a 45-21 over Houston in the Cotton Bowl. The pro career: After playing in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals in 1985, he went to the NFL with Chicago and New England and not getting much credit or much of a chance. Flutie went to Canada in 1990 where he was the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for six years and won several Grey Cups. He returned to the NFL in 1998 to play for the Buffalo Bills taking the city by storm with his creative style and winning attitude before going to San Diego and helping turn around the last place Chargers. Before ending up back with the Patriots this season.

Honors:

Heisman Trophy - 1984
Maxwell Award - 1984
Walter Camp Award - 1984
Davey O'Brien Award - 1984
All-America - 1984
CFL Most Outstanding Player - Six times
Grey Cup MVP - Three times

[sgt.null]

USFL

The 1985 season saw the heralded signing of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie of Boston College. Despite Flutie's inexperience, the Generals traded Sipe to the Jacksonville Bulls to ensure Flutie would start. Flutie struggled at times but played well overall until he suffered a broken collarbone against the Memphis Showboats in the season's 15th game and did not play again. The 1985 Generals finished 11-7 behind Walker's pro football-record 2,411 rushing yards but lost again to the Stars (transplanted to Baltimore) in the first round of the playoffs, 20-17. The USFL planned to play its 1986 schedule in the fall, directly opposite the NFL, thanks mostly to Trump's strong advocacy of direct competition with the older, established league. The Generals merged with the Houston Gamblers during the extended offseason, adding such stars as QB Jim Kelly, WR Ricky Sanders and head coach Jack Pardee, but the USFL's "Dream Team" never took the field. The 1986 season was cancelled after the USFL won a minimal verdict in an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL; the league folded soon afterward.



...was given choice of which USFL team he wanted to play for...Generals' owner Donald Trump traded Brian Sipe in the preseason so Flutie would have to start...1985 passing: 134-281 for 2,109 yards, 13 TDs, 14 INTs; ran 65 times for 465 yards and six TDs...

[sgt.null]

Flutie signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears. He later went to the New England Patriots.




The former Natick (Mass.) High School star was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round (285th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft following a Boston College career that saw him graduate as the NCAA’s all-time passing yardage leader with 10,579 yards. He spent the 1985 season on the Rams’ developmental squad and played in 15 games in the USFL before his NFL rights were traded from Los Angeles to Chicago midway through the 1986 season. Flutie signed with the Bears on Oct. 21, 1986 and played in five games with Chicago before being traded to the Patriots on Oct. 13, 1987 in exchange for an eighth-round selection in the 1988 NFL Draft Flutie’s first tenure with the Patriots (1987-89) was highlighted by a 1988 season during which he started nine games, including a stretch of six wins in an eight-game span, earning him the team’s “unsung hero” award. After starting three games for New England in 1989, Flutie joined the CFL, where he spent the next eight seasons as the league’s most dominant player.

[sgt.null]

BC Lions
In 1990, with his professional football career in jeopardy, Flutie traveled north to play for the CFLÕs B.C. Lions. He performed very well for the Lions in 16 games that season. During his second season at the helm of the Lions, Flutie began re-writing the CFL record book, compiling of the most prolific seasons in professional football history and setting the following CFL records: 730 pass attempts, 466 completions and 6,619 yards. He also earned his first of six Most Outstanding Player Awards following the 1991 season.

On March 23, 1992, Flutie signed with the Calgary Stampeders as a free agent and would go on to lead the Stampeders to their third Grey Cup Championship with an MVP performance in a 24-10 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In the game, Doug completed 33 of 49 pass attempts for 480 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was Calgary's first Grey Cup Championship since 1971. He was named the Most Outstanding Player after the season for the second year in a row.

In 1993 and 1994 Doug had two more great seasons, earning the Most Outstanding Player Award after each season. Doug's amazing athleticism was not only displayed through the air, but on the ground as well. In fact in 1993, he tied for the CFL lead in rushing touchdowns with 11. He also eclipsed the 6,000-yard passing mark for the second time in his career. In 1994, Doug passed for a CFL record 48 touchdowns, completing the greatest statistical season in professional quarterbacking history as he would also rush for a career high 760 yards on only 96 attempts for a staggering 7.9 yards per carry average.

Doug's 1995 season proved to be the most difficult of his CFL career, as he was side- lined for 7-games with an elbow injury. He returned to action and led the Stampeders to the Grey Cup game only to lose to the Baltimore Stallions, the first and only time the Grey Cup championship would be presented to a US based team. Following a contract dispute with the StampedersÕ ownership, Doug joined the Toronto Argonauts on March 15, 1996.

However, there were some who still questioned Flutie's ability and talent, focusing on the Stampeders receiving corps widely regarded as the best in the CFL with the likes of Allen Pitts, Ken Danielsen and Dave Sapunjis. After the 1996 season Flutie had silenced his critics and nay-sayers as he took over an Argonauts team that had gone 4-14 the previous season and led them to a 15-3 season. For his efforts, he earned his fifth CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award as well as his second Grey Cup ring, leading the Argos to the 1991 Grey Cup championship.

The 1997 CFL campaign was Doug Flutie's last. His 47 touchdown passes that season left him one off his record setting season mark set in 1994. He was named the Most Outstanding Player for a record sixth time, and won he Grey Cup for the third time in his career and second in as many years with the Toronto Argonauts.

Doug was granted free agent status on February 16, 1998 and signed with the Buffalo Bills later that month.

During his amateur and professional career, Doug has displayed a tremendous amount of character, leadership and class. His legacy may have been best described by former teammate Rocco Romano, a CFL All-Star Offensive Tackle in his own regard.

"I have had the chance to be Doug's teammate and he's an incredible athlete and a great person. When Doug decides to retire, he will be remembered as one of the greatest players to grace the CFL." - 1995.

.

CFL Awards
Grey Cup Champion: 1992, '96, '97
Grey Cup MVP: 1992, '96, '97
Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy: 1991-4
Terry Evanshen Trophy: 1996-7
CFL Most Outstanding Player Award: 1991-4, 1996-7
Western All-Star: 1991-4
Eastern All-Star: 1996-7
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CFL Records
Led the CFL is Passing Attempts: 1991, 1993-4, 1996-7
Led the CFL is Passing Completions: 1991, 1993-4, 1996-7
Led the CFL is Passing Yardage: 1991, 1993-4, 1996-7
Led the CFL is Touchdown Passes: 1991, 1993-4, 1996-7
Set the CFL Record for Most Passing Yards, Attempts and Completions in one season: 1992
8th All-Time Most Rushing TDs, Regular Season: 66
6th All-Time Most Rushing Yards by a Quarterback, Regular Season: 4,660
4th All-Time Most Passing Yards, Regular Season: 41,355
5th All-Time Most Pass Attempts, Regular Season: 4,854
4th All-Time Most Passing Touchdowns, Regular Season: 270
2nd Most Consecutive Games with Passing TDs, Regular Season: 21
Most Pass Attempts All-Time, Grey Cup: 171
Most Pass Completions All-Time, Grey Cup: 108
Most Passing Yards All-Time, Grey Cup: 1,421

[sgt.null]

BC Lions


Calgary Stampeders


Toronto Argonauts

[sgt.null]

Buffalo's 1998 season will forever be remembered for the NFL comeback of Doug Flutie, who not only led the Bills from among the NFL's mediocre to a wild-card spot, but got himself voted into the Pro Bowl. Doug Flutie became the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback when the Bills started the 1998 season 1-3. In his first start as a Bill, he passed for 2 TDs and led a 4th quarter comeback against the Indianapolis Colts, on October 11, 1998. The following week, Flutie scored the winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars by rolling out on a naked bootleg to enter the endzone, just as time expired. The Bills' success continued with Flutie at the helm, as his record as a starter that season was 8-3. The Bills were eliminated in the first round by the Dolphins, as fumbles and poor officiating gave Flutie his first, and only, loss against both Jimmy Johnson and Dan Marino. Flutie was selected to play in the 1998 Pro Bowl.

Flutie lead the Bills to a 10-5 record in 1999, but in a controversial decision, was replaced by Rob Johnson for the playoffs by coach Wade Phillips. The Bills lost 22-16 to the eventual AFC Champion Tennessee Titans in a game that has become known for the Music City Miracle. In 2000 Flutie was named the Bills backup and would only play late in games or when Johnson was injured.

[sgt.null]

www.dougflutiejrfoundation.org/
the Doug Flutie jr Foundation for Autism
Mission
The Foundation's mission is to aid financially disadvantaged families who need assistance in caring for their children with autism; to fund education and research into the causes and consequences of childhood autism; and to serve as a clearinghouse and communications center for new programs and services developed for individuals with autism.

History
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism was established by NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, in honor of their son, Doug, Jr. who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Doug and Laurie are fortunate to have the resources to provide their son with the educational opportunities, special equipment and tools necessary for Doug, Jr. to live a happy and rewarding life. They realize, however, that there are thousands of families of children with autism who struggle every day to pay for similar services. Their primary objective is to provide families with a place to turn when they are in need of support and autism resources.

Doug and Laurie first began raising funds for autism in 1998 through a donor advised fund, under the management of the Giving Back Fund. In 2000, they established the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. as an independent foundation to continue this work. Since 1998, the Fluties have helped raise over 7 million dollars for autism through corporate and individual donations, fundraisers, endorsement promotions featuring Doug and Doug Jr. as well as sales of Flutie Flakes and other related items.

The Foundation awards grants on an annual basis to nonprofit organizations that provide services for children with autism and to organizations that conduct research on the causes and effects of autism. To date, the Fluties have granted close to $3 million in New England, New York, New Jersey, southern California, at the national level, and in Canada.


Flutie Flakes
The first edition box of "Flutie Flakes" hit the shelves in 1998 with half of the proceeds from the sale of the cereal going to the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.

The first "Flutie Flakes" box was red, followed by the blue second edition box, and the red, white, and blue third edition. In 2001, the "Super-Charged" box of "Flutie Flakes" was released in a white, blue, and gold packaging to match the uniform of Doug's team at the time, the San Diego Chargers.

Unfortunately, Flutie Flakes are now out of production; so hold onto yours if you have them - they'll be a collector's item!

[sgt.null]

In 2001 Flutie signed with the San Diego Chargers, who went 1-15 in 2000. After opening 3-0, the Chargers slumped and were 4-2 going into Week 7, when Flutie's Chargers met Rob Johnson's Bills. Johnson took advantage of the weak Charger defence and passed for 310 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception, and ran for 67 yards and 1 TD. (The Chargers are the only team Johnson has passed for 300 yards against.) However, Doug prevailed as the new ex-Bill broke a sack attempt and ran 13 yards for the game-winning touchdown. San Diego would finish 5-11, while the Bills finished 3-13. Flutie was Drew Brees' backup in 2002.

In 2003, Flutie replaced a struggling Brees when the Chargers were 1-7. The 41 year-old became the oldest player to score two rushing touchdowns in a game, the first player over 40 to accomplish that feat. He also became the oldest AFC Offensive Player of the Week, winning the award for the fourth time. Flutie's record as starter that year was 2-3. As of 2004 Doug Flutie has passed for 58,150 yards in his 20 year professional football career.

Flutie was released from the Chargers on March 13, 2005. On April 29, 2005, Flutie surprised many when he signed with the New England Patriots instead of the New York Giants.


He has been the backup behind Tom Brady and come in several times at the end of games to take a few snaps. Flutie has a 37-28 record as an NFL starter, including an 22-9 record in home games.

Television football commentator John Madden once said, "Inch for inch, Flutie in his prime was the best QB of his generation."

In the Patriots' regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins on January 1, 2006, Flutie successfully drop kicked the ball for an extra point, something that had not been done in a regular-season NFL game since 1941. The ball went straight through the uprights for the extra point. Patriots head coach and football historian Bill Belichick made comments that suggested that the play was a sort of retirement present for his veteran quarterback, although Flutie has made no comment on whether or not 2005 will be his last season [3]. The Patriots would go on to lose the game 28-26. It was his first kick attempt in his NFL career.

[sgt.null]

b]Gerard Phelan[/b]
WALTHAM -- The names Flutie and Phelan will forever be linked.The moment that cinched that bond took place over 20 years ago. QB Doug Flutie, the pride of Natick, tossed his famous Miracle in Miami 48-yard touchdown heave to Gerard Phelan in the mist of the Orange Bowl, lifting Boston College to a last-second 47-45 win over the University of Miami on November 23, 1984. The duo was once again linked yesterday afternoon at Brandeis University's Shapiro Gymnasium, where the college's women's basketball team sponsored a fund raiser entitled the Athletes in Beantown Memorabilia and Autograph Show. The fact that people waited patiently in line -- some for well over an hour -- for Flutie and Phelan, is indicative that what the duo did over two decades ago isn't going to be forgotten any time soon. People brought their footballs, football jerseys, posters, helmets -- regulation and toy size -- magazines, photos and whatever else to be signed. Flutie and Phelan signed and posed for pictures. But like so many other things in history, the cherished Miracle in Miami might not have even happened if fate had intervened somewhere along the line. There were plenty of opportunities along the way. For example, Phelan came to the Heights from Pennsylvania as a running back. What if Phelan had remained a running back? Linebacker Steve DeOssie, it turned out, made sure Phelan made a position switch. "We were working on goal-line situations our freshmen year," said Phelan, who now resides in Milford. "I thought that it was great the way a tailback would dive up and over the pile. I went in there hard." DeOssie went harder. "DeOssie hit me at the 1 (-yard line) and knocked me back to about the 4," said Phelan. "I was laying there with the wind knocked out of me and (assistant coach Tom) Coughlin came over and asked if I was alright. I couldn't even answer because I had no wind." It wasn't too much later that Phelan was summoned to head coach Jack Bicknell's office. "I thought 'Oh no, this can't be good. They're going to pull my scholarship,'" said Phelan. It turned out Bicknell had an offer Phelan couldn't refuse. "He asked me if I wanted to switch to wide receiver," said Phelan. "I asked him what string I'd be. He said fifth. I had been a seventh string tailback so I figured it was an upgrade and I jumped at the chance." And believe it our not, at that point in their BC careers, Phelan was progressing faster than the guy who would go on to win the 1984 Heisman Trophy. "I came in as the ninth-string quarterback," recalled Flutie. "Gerard was getting playing time right away. The coaches had told me that they were going to put me at quarterback, but that at some point I might want to go to them and request a position change." It very nearly happened. "I was way down the list at quarterback," said Flutie. "I was about a week from going to the coaches and asking them to switch me when I got my chance against Penn State." That, it turns out, had a little twist of fate to it. "The only reason I was on the traveling team in the first place," said Flutie, "was I was the backup punt returner to Brian Brennan." As they say, the rest is history. Flutie and Phelan became the best of friends, something they remain to this day. Phelan remembers seeing Flutie come in the first day of drills their freshmen year. "We really had a lot in common from the beginning," said Phelan. "I remember seeing Doug come in with his family. His brother Bill played football at Brown and (younger brother) Darren, of course, played at BC. I had older brothers who played college football. We just seemed to hit it off." Another thing the duo had in common was a commitment to being in tip-top physical condition. "He and I were in great shape," said Flutie. "Everyone else was griping and moaning about being sore. We were going to a meeting at the Roberts Center and Gerard and I made it a point to sprint up all 122 steps. Everyone else was dragging. We had a little chip on our shoulders." "We were out to make a point," said Phelan. The point was well taken four years later when Flutie and Phelan were two of the major components in an Eagle squad that went to three straight bowl games, winning the Cotton Bowl as seniors, and a cachet of hardware that would include the Heisman Trophy. The professional football careers of Flutie and Phelan are also indicative of how fate was much kinder to the quarterback than the wide receiver. "Doug was in my wedding and I was supposed to be in his," said Phelan. "But I blew my knee out (with the Patriots) and was in the hospital. I never made it to Doug's wedding." Phelan's professional football career was over before it began. Which in no way diminishes that special November afternoon over two decades ago. Yesterday afternoon at Brandeis University was once again proof of that.

[sgt.null]

Darren Flutie
Darren Flutie was born on November 18, 1966 in Manchester, Maryland. He was a Canadian football wide receiver for the British Columbia Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is currently the Canadian Football League's all-time leader in catches. His Canadian career lasted from 1991 until 2002. He is the younger brother of quarterback Doug Flutie.

Scoring Pass Receiving
GP GS TD 2 PTS NO YDS AVE LG TD
1991 B.C. 8 8 6 0 36 52 860 16.5 51 6
1992 B.C. 18 17 4 0 24 90 1336 14.8 76 4
1993 B.C. 17 16 5 0 30 79 1068 13.5 45 5
1994 B.C. 18 15 8 0 48 111 1731 15.6 61 8
1995 B.C. 12 11 2 0 12 59 893 15.0 58 2
1996 Edm. 17 17 6 0 36 86 1362 15.8 42 6
1997 Edm. 17 17 9 1 58 90 1313 14.6 51 9
1998 Ham. 17 17 5 1 32 98 1386 14.1 73 5
1999 Ham. 18 18 7 0 42 84 1155 13.8 37 7
2000 Ham. 17 17 4 1 26 79 1120 14.2 58 4
2001 Ham. 18 18 6 0 36 80 1206 15.1 49 6
2002 Ham. 64 929 14.5 40 4
CFL TOTAL 972 14359 14.8 76 66

Darren Flutie's Canadian football pro records
Playoff receptions : 85
Regular season receptions : 972
Most seasons 1,000 yards receiving : 9 (tied with Allan Pitts)
All-Star Seasons
1999
1997
1996
Grey Cup wins
1994, 1999

[Brinn]

Was watching the game when he hit the dropkick. Very cool stuff!

[sgt.null]

the Miracle in Miami, back in 1984 I had a staph infection in my ankle. i watched the game from my hospital bed and was fortunate to see the Hail Mary! i was at home for the Cotton Bowl. aw the Miracle in black & white btw.

[danlo]

On the Chargers too wasn't he? Love that drop kick it was hilarious!

[Usivius]

Srg. ... love football much?
Yah, Mr. Flutie deserved much better attention in the NFL than he got. In the CFL his creativity in plays was welcome, but it seemed that in the rigid 'set-play' format that many NFL teams like to play by, creativity and improvisation was not appreciated, although Buffalo did allow him a fari amount of freedom.

waytago Dougie!

[sgt.null]

Usuvius: to us New Englanders Flutie is a legend. I was telling people last year that Doug would finish up in San Diego and come back home. and if the Patriots win a Super Bowl with him? you will be able to hear the fans from where you're at. and a good Catholic boy at that.

[wayfriend]

Was watching the game when he hit the dropkick. Very cool stuff!

A bright point in a dark day. Watching the Patriots throw a game away. Poor fans - you buy tickets for the game and then the team doesn't even come out to play.

[sgt.null]

better to have players healthy for the playoffs. and the team lost by a failed 2 point conversion. not bad for not trying.

[Ghostrider]

Doug Flutie makes me smile.

Is it just wishful thinking on my part or does anyone else think that Dougie could be groomed into being one hell of an Offensive Coordinator? Especially if he had a mobile QB in the fold. Or is he destined for the booth?

He wouldn't be quite as entertaining as Bradshaw in the studio, but he would definitely be more entertaining than Marino, not that that's tough. (I think that Al Gore could give Marino a run for his money, entertainment-wise.)

Or maybe he could do play-by-play. Just as long as he doesn't fade out of the active football world.

[dlbpharmd]

I've always followed Flutie's career with interest.