Doug Flutie scrambled out of pressure before launching the game-winning pass against the University of Miami.
Hard to believe that it has been 25 years since Doug Flutie captivated the sports world with a special performance that culminated in one of the most memorable endings in sports history.
In a nationally televised game on CBS the day after Thanksgiving, Flutie solidified his candidacy for the Heisman Trophy by dueling with Bernie Kosar throughout the high-scoring affair.
However, in the final seconds it appeared that Kosar and the defending national champion University of Miami would edge Flutie’s Boston College squad.
With just enough time for one final play and with the ball sitting on Miami’s 48-yard line, Flutie rolled out to his right and launched the ball from his own 36-yard line (64-yards from the end zone) into the waiting arms of receiver Gerard Phelan.
The “Hail Mary” gave BC a shocking 47-45 victory and made Flutie a household name. He went on to receive the 1984 Heisman Trophy.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of this amazing moment in sports, below is a YouTube video recapping the game and Flutie’s amazing pass.
Reaching Super Bowl XX, was the pinnacle moment for the Patriots in the 1980's.
The foundation for the Patriots in the 1980’s was laid by former coach, Chuck Fairbanks. He drafted franchise future hall of famers such as Steve Grogan, Stanley Morgan, John Hannah, and Steve Nelson. They formed the core of a veteran team complimented by some young stars such as Tony Eason, Andre Tippett, Tony Collins, and Craig James.
With this chemistry success was soon to follow and my love affair with the team began.
The decade opened with a 10-6 record in 1980 and a second place finish in the AFC East. The team set a franchise record for points scored with 441 points, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The success of 1979 and 1980 was soon forgotten as the Patriots could only muster two wins in 1981. The franchise had become a laughing stock of the league and always found new ways to lose.
The team would end the season with a 9 game losing streak. This streak included a 23-21 loss to the equally as pitiful, 1-14 Baltimore Colts on the last day of the season. Some folks have dubbed this as, “The Worst Game in NFL History.”
Coach Ron Erhardt would be dismissed after the 1981 season and replaced by former SMU coach, Ron Meyer.
The 1982 campaign was a strike shortened year. The Patriots posted a 5-4 record which included a 3-0 win vs. Miami on Dec 12th.
We honor Steve Grogan as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The former Patriots quarterback left it all on the field during his 16 year career. Grogan was playing the “Patriots Way” before Bill Belichick introduced it in 2000. He led by example and his teammates were always behind him.
Steve Grogan was drafted by Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks in the fifth round of the 1975 draft out of Kansas State. He was one of the school’s all time passing and total offense leaders. Grogan not only beat you with his arm but he was exceptionally quick for a man standing at 6’4”.
The Patriots already had their franchise quarterback in place when he was drafted. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett had been the Patriots starter for his first four years in the league. However, Coach Fairbanks was not afraid to make a move if a player was under-performing. It didn’t matter who he was.
Midway through the 1975 season, Grogan was given the reigns of the Patriots offense. He started the last seven games with only one victory to his credit. As a rookie, Grogan posted respectable numbers with 1976 yards with 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
He also added 110 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.
This would just be a sneak preview for things to come from the lanky quarterback out of K-State.
Set. 3, 1981 - The Red Sox and the Mariners play nineteen innings to a 7-7 tie. The game ends with the Mariners winning 8-7 in 20 innings when the suspended game is resumed the next day making it the longest game played in Fenway Park history.
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