Flutie goes to Disneyland

From the Hail Mary pass tossed in 1984 for Boston College, to his signing with the Bears, then back home with the Patriots where he belonged - well, until he went up north and played for the Canadian Football League, Doug Flutie has been on the Boston sports radar. In 1998 he came back down to the States (not too far south) playing for the Buffalo Bills. He then signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2001. After being the oldest starting QB in NFL history, Flutie had been relegated to second string duty for the Chargers. So he came back home. Calling Natick home since age six, Flutie signed with the Pats, the home team, in 2005 to become backup for Tom Brady. On January 1, 2006 Flutie scored an extra point against the Dolphins with a drop kick, something not accomplished since 1941. Today, after only a season back with the Pats, Flutie announced his retirement from professional football at age 43.

Flutie’s career has been marked by many achievements, starting with his college career with Boston College to his many spots supporting NFL and CFL teams. While playing as starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, Flutie began the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (named for his autistic son) – and started distributing the SNL commercial style Flutie Flakes to raise money for autism research. His retirement from professional football will not see Doug Flutie’s complete removal from football. He’ll be working for Disney-owned ABC and ESPN as an analyst for their college football coverage. He came back home before he retired, and for that, Doug Flutie, you’re a Patriot in our book.