Doug Flutie

Doug Flutie, born October 23, 1962 is a fan-favorite quarterback who has played professionally for 21 years, appearing in the United States Football League, the National Footbal League, and the Canadian football league. He is the older brother of the CFL's all-time reception leader Darren Flutie. He has son with autism, Doug Flutie Jr. in whose name a foundation dedicated to autism research has been established.

College career

Flutie first captured the nation's imagination during his senior season in a nationally televised 1984 game against the University of Miami the day after Thanksgving. With Miami completing a dramatic drive to take the lead, 45-41 in the closing minute of the game, Flutie and Boston College had possession at their 20-yard line with 28 seconds to go. After two quick plays, six seconds remained on the clock. In the last play of the game, Flutie completed a desperation Hail Mary caught by Gerard Phelan in the endzone, giving Boston College the win.

In his senior campaign, Flutie threw for a Boston College record 3454 yards and 27 touchdowns, including 'The Pass.' His performance that season captured Flutie the Heisman Trophy.

Over his four year college career, Flutie totaled 11,318 total yards of offense, and became the NCAA's all-time leader surpassing Jim McMahon's record. He remains the all-time BC leader in career yards, yards in one season, touchdowns in one season, yards in one game, and touchdowns in one game—and ranks in the top three in virtually every statistically important passing category in BC history.

Professional career

Doug Flutie started his professional football career in the erstwhile United States Football League (USFL) with the New Jersey Generals in 1985. After the USFL folded, Flutie signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1986, starting one game. He signed with the New England Patriots for a three year stint in 1987. In his best season in Foxboro, 1988, Flutie threw for 1150 yards in nine starts.

After the 1989 season came to a close, Flutie went north of the border to the CFL for an eight year career that ranks as perhaps the greatest quarterback career in Canadian football history.

In 1990 Flutie signed with the British Columbia Lions as the highest paid CFL player in the league. In his first season Flutie performed well, but struggled to adapt to his new league's style of play. The following year, however, Flutie shone and began to write his own legend, assembling some of the most dominant and prolific seasons in professional football history. In his eight CFL seasons, Flutie earned 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.

Flutie won his first Grey Cup in 1992 with Calgary. He would go on to win two more Grey Cups with the Toronto Argonauts before returning to the National Football League in 1998.

Flutie's CFL success, coupled with the revoking of the "marquee player" exemption in the Canadian Football League, resulted in him leaving the CFL to return to the NFL. He was joined by a string of star quarterbacks, including Jeff Garcia and Dave Dickenson around this time.

Doug Flutie became the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback in 1998 after the team started 1-3. In his first start, he passed for 2 TDs and led a 4th quarter comeback against the Indianapolis Colts on October 11. The following week Flutie scored the winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a naked bootleg to enter the endzone as the clock ran out. The Bills' success continued, as the team compiled an 8-3 record with Flutie at the helm. Despite being eliminated in the first round by the Dolphins, Flutie was selected to play in the 1998 Pro Bowl after throwing for 2711 yards with a 87.4 QB Rating—his best in his NFL career.

Flutie threw for 3171 yards and 19 TDS in 1999, leading the Bills to a 10-5 record. However, most of his season was overshadowed by a controversial decision to rest Flutie for the final game in favor of replacement Rob Johnson. To the chagrin of Buffalo fans everywhere, the Flutie-less team lost 22-16.

In 2000, Flutie was named the Bills backup, and only appeared in 11 games, starting five.

However, Flutie once again had his chance to shine: After a subpar start to the season, Rob Johnson was injured vs. the Chargers in overtime. Once again, Flutie was called on to make magic. Engineering a drive downfield, Flutie set up the team for the game winning field goal. After losing three of their first five, the Bills now stood at 3-3. The Bills won 3 of the next 4 with Flutie in the lead, losing only to the Vikings, undefeated at the time. Despite his success, Flutie was once again relegated to backup as soon as Johnson returned from injury. In his final game in Buffalo, Flutie completed 20 of 25 passes, for 366 yards, and 3 TDs. Taking the NFL's 158.3 point passer rating system into account, Flutie threw a perfect game.

In 2001 Flutie moved west and signed with the San Diego Chargers, who were coming off a disheartening 1-15 season. After winning his first three, Flutie and the Chargers slumped and were 4-2 going into Week 7, when they faced off against Rob Johnson's Bills. Taking advantage of a confused and week Charger defense, Johnson passed for 310 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception, and ran for 67 yards and 1 TD—by all measures a career best day for him. However, the traditional Flutie magic came through as the former Bill broke a sack attempt by his former teammates and ran 13 yards for the game-winning touchdown. San Diego would lose every game the rest of the season and finish 5-11, but Flutie threw for an NFL career high 3464 yards.

Flutie was Drew Brees' backup in 2002, attempting only 11 passes.

In 2003, Flutie replaced a struggling Brees when the Chargers were 1-7. The 41 year-old became the fifth oldest QB to start a NFL game. Flutie also scored 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 he once again passed for over 1000 yards with 1097.

Flutie's career numbers are impressive, especially when his CFL days are taken into account. Over a nearly 20 year professional football career, Flutie has thrown for over 57,874 yards—one of only six players ever to do so. As he turns 42 in October, Flutie enters yet another NFL season as not only a fan favorite, but one of the most respected players in the game. His work ethic and ability to overcome every obstacle thrown in his way over the past twenty years is unmatched—Doug Flutie is truly a legend of the game.

Flutie is currently a college football analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports.

SEASON BY SEASON

2005 (5/0, 0/0): Served as New England’s backup quarterback and played in five games … On the final play of his career, connected on a drop-kick extra point … Prior to Flutie’s kick, Ray McLean of the Chicago Bears was the last player to successfully convert a drop kick in the NFL. He converted an extra point following Ken Kavanaugh's 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown during the Bears' 37-9 win over the New York Giants in the 1941 NFL Championship Game. Indianapolis (11/7): Completed three of seven passes for 20 yards in the fourth quarter … Found Troy Brown along the sideline for a 13-yard reception on fourth-and-10 in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (12/11): Completed one of two passes for seven yards. Tampa Bay (12/17): Took the final two snaps at quarterback. N.Y. Jets (12/26): Saw limited action at quarterback in the fourth quarter … Completed his only pass attempt for two yards in the victory. Miami (1/1): Connected on the first successful drop kick in the NFL since 1941, when he nailed an extra point with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

2004 (2/1 – San Diego): Served as the backup to Pro Bowler Drew Brees and played in two games, earning the start in the season finale. N.Y. Jets (9/19): Played in the fourth quarter after Brees left the game with a concussion … In one series, scored a touchdown on a six-yard run to cap an 18-play, 81-yard drive … Scored with 30 seconds left in the game to bring San Diego to within 34-28, but the Jets recovered San Diego’s onside kick and ran out the clock … Completed 7 of 16 passes for 77 yards. Kansas City (1/2): Started against the Chiefs and led the team to a 24-17 win … Completed 13 of 22 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown, covering 10 yards to Ryan Krause … Also scored a touchdown on one-yard run as he rushed three times for 25 yards.

2003 (7/5 – San Diego): Received the Chargers’ Emil Karas Award as co-Most Inspirational Player after starting five of seven games … Was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and FedEx Air NFL Player of Week for his efforts against Minnesota (11/9) … Ran for a career-high two touchdowns (11/9), becoming the first NFL player over 40 years old to run for multiple touchdowns in a game. Chicago (11/2): Saw his first action of the season when he replaced ineffective Drew Brees in fourth quarter … Led an eight-play, 74-yard touchdown drive on his first series. Minnesota (11/9): Named AFC Offensive Player of Week,  FedEx Air NFL Player of Week and SI.com columnist Peter King’s Offensive Player of Week … Started and passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores … Completed 21 of 29 passes for 248 yards with no interceptions … Set a career high with two rushing touchdowns on scores from three and 13 yards … Threw a three-yard touchdown pass to David Boston and a four-yarder to Antonio Gates … Recorded his first rushing touchdown since Oct. 28, 2001 against Buffalo and his first touchdown pass since Dec. 30, 2001 against Seattle … At 41 years, 17 days became the oldest quarterback to start NFL game since Warren Moon at 44 years, eight days for Kansas City at San Diego on Nov. 26, 2000. Denver (11/16): Tossed a 19-yard touchdown strike to Kassim Osgood in the fourth quarter … Rushed for a season-high 53 yards on eight carries. Cincinnati (11/23): Threw touchdown passes of 37 and 26 yards to David Boston. Kansas City (11/30): Tossed a 20-yard touchdown to David Boston and an 18-yarder to Antonio Gates. Detroit (12/7): Threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns covering 16 and 73 yards to LaDainian Tomlinson in 14-7 win. Pittsburgh (12/21): Replaced an ineffective Drew Brees in the fourth quarter.

2002 (1/0 – San Diego): Served as Drew Brees’ backup for the season and played in one game. Buffalo (12/15): Saw his only action of season, relieving Drew Brees in the fourth quarter … Completed a 47-yard pass.

2001 (16/16 – San Diego): Started a full NFL season for the first time in his career and set a career high with 3,464 yards passing, seventh-most in Chargers’ team history ... Recorded the most yards by Chargers quarterback since Dan Fouts passed for 3,638 yards in 1985 … Had four 300-yard passing games. Dallas (9/23): Threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, including a season-long 78-yard pass to Tim Dwight … His 348 yards was third-highest regular-season total in career. Denver (10/21): Matched his season high with two touchdown passes … Had his streak of 152 consecutive passes thrown without interception snapped … The streak began in the season opener against Washington on Sept. 9 and tied for third longest streak in team history. Buffalo (10/28): Scored the game-winning touchdown on 13-yard run against his former club … Marked the sixth rushing touchdown of his NFL career and his first of the season. Denver (11/11): Completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Conway … Was his longest touchdown pass of season and longest since 84-yard touchdown pass to Eric Moulds at New England (11/29/98). Arizona (11/25): Threw for 308 yards on 33 of 44 passing with two touchdowns … Completed 13 straight pass attempts against Cardinals, tied for third-longest completion streak in team history. Seattle (12/30): Totaled a career-high 377 yards in the season finale … Also set new career highs with 34 completions and 53 attempts against Seahawks … His 34 completions were the third-most in game by a Chargers quarterback.

2000 (11/5 – Buffalo): Played in 11 games with five starts and posted a record of 4-1 as starter … Served as the backup to Rob Johnson for much of the season. San Diego (10/15): Replaced an injured Rob Johnson against and completed two of three passes for 30 yards to set up Steve Christie’s game-winning field goal in overtime. New England (11/5): Earned the start and led the Bills to a 16-13 overtime victory to improve his career record to 12-1 at Foxboro Stadium. Chicago (11/12): His third quarter interception snapped a streak of 140 consecutive passes without interception, the third longest streak Bills history. Seattle (12/23): Started the season finale at Seattle and guided the Bills to season highs in points (42) and yards (579) ... The 579 yards of total offense was the second-most in club history ... Finished the day 20 of 25 (.800) for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

1999 (15/15 – Buffalo): Set the Bills’ team record for rushing yards by quarterback and led all NFL quarterbacks with 476 rushing yards … Led the team to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Indianapolis (9/12): Posted his third career 300-yard game in the season opener. N.Y. Jets (9/19): Rushed for a career-high 67 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run. Baltimore (10/31): Became the fifth quarterback in pro history to surpass the 50,000 yards barrier in a come-from-behind win against the Ravens. Washington (11/7): Earned AFC Player of the Week honors after completing 73 percent of his passes (16 of 22) for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

1998 (13/10, 1/1 – Buffalo): Earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and NFL Comeback Player of Year honors from Associated Press and Pro Football Weekly ... Took over the starting quarterback job five games into season and led Bills to 7-3 mark in 10 regular-season starts, including a 5-1 mark at home ...Posted the third and fourth highest single-game passing percentages in team history (.821) at Indianapolis Oct. 11 and (.818) at Carolina Oct. 25 ... Threw only 11 interceptions in 354 attempts (.0311), the lowest career mark in team history (min. 250 attempts) ... Earned team’s Player of Week honors five times. San Diego (9/6): Made his first NFL appearance since Dec. 13, 1989 when he replaced an injured Rob Johnson (concussion) in the third quarter. Indianapolis (10/11): Took over after Johnson injured ribs on the third offensive play and rallied Buffalo from a 12-7 halftime deficit to score 24 unanswered points in second half while recording an 82.1 oercent completion rate, the third-highest in team history ... Named NFL’s Miller Lite Player of Week. Carolina (10/25): Completed 81.8 percent of passes (18 of 22), including an 82-yard touchdown pass to Eric Moulds ... His completion percentage against the Panthers was the fourth-best in team history and made him the only Bills quarterback to post two 80 percent games in one season. Miami (11/1): Threw three touchdowns to rally Buffalo from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit and earn AFC Offensive Player of Week honors for second time in his career. N.Y. Jets (11/8): Suffered first loss at the Meadowlands after a 9-0 run in college, USFL, and NFL. New England (11/29): Set a then-career high with 339 passing yards ... Was his first-career 300-yard passing game ... An 84-yard touchdown pass to Moulds was the longest of his career and the fifth-longest touchdown pass in team history ... The loss to the Patriots snapped Flutie’s 10-game win streak in Foxboro Stadium dating back to his days at Boston College. Cincinnati (12/6): Had his second career and second consecutive 300-yard passing day with a 319-yard effort. N.Y. Jets (12/19): Suffered his first home loss as an NFL starter (11-1). Miami (1/2): Completed 21 of 36 passes for 360 yards in a Wild Card playoff loss.

1997 (CFL – Toronto Argonauts): Led the CFL in passing and powered the Toronto Argonauts to the Grey Cup championship for the second straight season ... Repeated as the championship game’s Most Valuable Player ... Earned CFL Most Outstanding Player honors for sixth time in eight seasons ... Completed 430 of 673 passes (.639) for 5,505 yards and a club record 47 touchdowns ... Completed 30 of 38 for 352 yards and three touchdowns in 47-23 Grey Cup championship game victory over Saskatchewan.

1996 (CFL – Toronto Argonauts): Signed with Toronto as a free agent ... Set club records with 434 completions, 677 attempts and 5,720 yards ... Also rushed for 756 yards on 101 carries, the best single-season ever by an Argos quarterback ... Topped 300 passing yards 11 times ... Ended the season as the league’s Most Outstanding Player after helping Toronto win the Grey Cup ... Earned Most Valuable Player honors in the championship game.

1995 (CFL – Calgary Stampeders): Completed a career-best 67.2 percent of his passes while throwing just five interceptions in 332 attempts ... Missed seven games due to an elbow injury, marking his first injury-related absence in five seasons ... Led Stampeders to the Grey Cup title game, but they fell to Baltimore.

1994 (CFL – Calgary Stampeders): Named the league’s Most Outstanding Player ... Set CFL single-season record with 48 touchdown passes for Calgary, surpassing his own mark by four ... Set league record for passing efficiency with rating of 118.2 while leading the CFL in passing ... The Stampeders set a league record with 698 points ... Scored eight touchdowns (six passing, two rushing) against Winnipeg on Aug. 23.

1993 (CFL – Calgary Stampeders): Named the league’s Most Outstanding Player ... Led the CFL in passing and topped the 6,000-yard mark for the second time in his career ... Threw for over 400 yards seven times, including a club-record 556 yards at Ottawa Aug. 6 ... Helped the Stampeders to their best ever regular-season record at 15-3 ... Scored 11 of the team’s 15 rushing touchdowns.

1992 (CFL – Calgary Stampeders):  Earned the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player honors for Calgary while leading the Stampeders to the Grey Cup title ... Named MVP in Calgary’s defeat of Winnipeg for Flutie’s first Grey Cup win ... Attempted a team-record 63 passes at Saskatchewan on Aug. 7 ... Topped 15,000 passing yards in his 51st CFL game, making him the fastest ever to reach the mark.

1991 (CFL – B.C. Lions): Selected league’s Most Outstanding Player ... Set 23 CFL and British Columbia Lions records ... Responsible for 52 touchdowns, including 14 on the ground and 38 passing ... His 6,619 passing yards and 466 completions set single-season CFL records.

1990 (CFL – B.C. Lions):  Signed with the British Columbia Lions as free agent ... Ranked sixth in the CFL in passing and eighth in rushing.

1989 (5/3 – New England): Started three games and posted mark of 1-2.

1988 (11/9 – New England): Received the Patriots’ “Unsung Hero” award ... Earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his Oct. 2 performance against Indianapolis ... Entered at the start of the fourth quarter of a 7-7 game and completed 12 of 16 passes for 132 yards, along with a 13-yard scoring run with 23 seconds left to claim a 21-17 victory ... Was the team’s third leading rusher with 179 yards.

1987 (1/0 – Chicago; 1/1 – New England): Traded by Chicago to New England on Oct. 13 ... His only action came at Houston on Oct. 18 when he started and went 15 of 25 for 199 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass in a 21-7 win.

1986 (4/1, 1/1 – Chicago): Made his first NFL start in place of an injured Mike Tomczak at Dallas on Dec. 21 ... His first NFL completion was a 52-yard pass to Willie Gault followed by a 27-yard touchdown pass to Walter Payton versus Tampa Bay on Dec.  7 ... Started Chicago’s playoff game against the Redskins on Jan. 3 … Signed by the Bears on Oct. 21 after being traded by Los Angeles Rams Oct. 14.

1985 (USFL – New Jersey Generals): Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round of the 1985 NFL Draft (285th overall) and spent the season on L.A.’s developmental squad ... Was a territorial draft pick of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals ... Played in 15 games with the Generals, completing 134 of 281 passes (.477) for 2,109 yards, 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions … Rushed 65 times for 465 yards and six touchdowns … New Jersey Generals were owned by Donald Trump.

Accolades and Highlights:

COLLEGE:

Winner of the 1984 Heisman Trophy as the outstanding player in all of college football — set the all-time major college career passing record (10,579 yards), and the all-time major college career total offense record (11,054 yards) en route to this honor.

First Team All-American selection as voted in consensus by the Associated Press, the United Press International, Kodak (American College Football Coaches Association), the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America.

Named to United Press International and Sporting News’ “Player of the Year” honors.

Selected as Captain of the Kodak All-American squad and winner of the prestigious Maxwell Club Trophy as the nation’s premier player.

Two touchdown passes on fourth-down plays, which lead the Eagles to a 38-31 comeback win over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Birmingham.

A record-setting six touchdown passes in a 52-20 romp over North Carolina.

Pitched for four touchdowns against Western Carolina and had three scoring tosses in the games against Rutgers, Army and Holy Cross.

Connected on 34 of 46 aerials without an interception, for 472 yards against Miami, and recorded his best yardage output of the year. This also represented the highest full-game percentage of his career.

Has passed for more yards against a single opponent than any other player in college history: 1,420 vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (135 in his first freshman game, 520 in 1982, 380 in 1983, and 447 in 1984).

On May 9, 2007, Flutie was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. It was his first year of eligibility.

PROFESSIONAL:

Only player in CFL history to win four consecutive Most Outstanding Player of the Year awards.

Also received this honor for a fifth and sixth time in 1996 and 1997.

All-Canadian Quarterback: 1991-1994, 1996, 1997.

Three Grey Cup Championships: 1992, 1996, 1997.

Three-time Grey Cup Most Valuable Player: 1992, 1996, 1997.

First CFL player to throw for 6,000 yards in a season (both 1991 and 1993).

Six-time Canadian All-Star Team: 1991-1994, 1996, 1997.

Posted a 21-10 record from 1998-2000 as quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.

Comeback Player of the Year: 1998-1999 NFL Season.

Pro Bowl Selection: 1998-1999 NFL Season.

On May 8, 2007, Flutie was elected to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, becoming the first non-Canadian inductee.