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 Dwight Evans as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. With the opening of the baseball season around the corner, the choice of “Dewey” Evans is fitting. He was a player who gave his all, all the time to the Boston Red Sox where he played from 1972 to 1990. He is one of the best players not in the Baseball Hall Of Fame.
Dwight Michael Evans made an immediate impact in his professional baseball career by winning the International League’s MVP in 1972. With AAA Louisville, Evans had 17 hrs, 95 RBI and hit .300.
Dewey was called up to the tail end of the ’72 season. On September 16th, he pinch ran and was 0-1 at the plate. He played 18 games and decent numbers during his call up. In 57 plate appearances, Evans had 1 hr, 6 RBI and batted .263.
Dwight Evans called right field in Fenway Park his home. He was a defensive standout and offensively could hold his own.
Loading ...