The Former Boston College star, and Massachusetts
native, agreed in principal to a contract with the team, ESPN reports.
In
Flutie's career, he played on four different NFL teams for 11 years and had an
8-year hiatus playing in the CFL. He also managed to play in the USFL for one
season before the league folded in 1986.
Flutie may best be remembered for
his 1984 Orange Bowl play, deemed the miracle by many. Boston College was trailing
late in the fourth quarter to the University of Miami. On the last play of the
game, Flutie had to throw from midfield to the end-zone to have any hope of winning.
He managed to complete the pass, giving the BC Eagles the victory over the Hurricanes
in what many still refer to as one of the most exciting plays in college football
history.
While Flutie's first stint with the Patriots may not be as memorable
as his other successes on the field, many New Englanders have an affinity for
him wherever he's played.
In his time in the CFL, Flutie grew to CFL legend
status, winning the Grey Cup three times, and being awarded the leagues most outstanding
player three times as well. He parlayed his CFL success back into an NFL job with
the Buffalo Bills, where fans recall the battle for the starting position with
Rob Johnson as much as his success on the playing field. In Buffalo, he started
his own cereal brand, Flutie Flakes, capitalizing on his fame.
When the
Buffalo situation didn't work out, Flutie moved on to San Diego where he held
the starting role before Drew Brees succeeded him. Once Brees struggled, the team
inserted Flutie back into the lineup to give the team a spark. He played on and
off, until last season when the Chargers selected Philip Rivers in the 2004 NFL
Draft. Brees won the starting job in camp and and held on to it through the rest
of the season.
In New England Flutie joins fellow quarterbacks, Rohan Davey,
Chris Redman and Matt Cassel on the roster behind starter Tom Brady.
Career Stats:
In 87 games, he threw for 14,686 yards in 2,141 attempts,
completing 86 touchdowns and 68 interceptions His career NFL quarterback rating
is 76.4. Flutie wasn't only known for his passing. Many times he would get the
job done with his legs. He's run for 1,635 yards in 333 attempts, managing 10
touchdowns and 85 first downs.
More On Flutie:
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