Finally, we'll see if Flutie can fly
Posted: Thursday October 15, 1998 04:31 PM
I'm a card-carrying Doug Guy. I say this from the beginning. I have been
a Doug Guy for the last ... I don't know, 17 years, since I first saw Doug Flutie start running
around Boston College's Alumni Stadium as a freshman, doing things I never
had seen on a football field. I am still a Doug Guy.
"Give him a chance," has been my refrain.
"He's had his chance," has been the argument.
"Not a real chance," has been my reply.
I have had more arguments in the past decade about Doug Flutie and his
ability to play in the NFL than I have had about any player in any sport.
Is he too small at 5'9" to play in the big time? Or is the big time
simply too dumb to take advantage of his unique talents, his
helter-skelter, extemporaneous offense? There never has been a doubt in my
mind: the NFL has had all the imagination of a blocking sled when it has
looked at Doug Flutie.
So now, at age 35, playing for the NFL minimum salary, after years of
exile in Canada where he mangled the record books, he finally does have the
chance. He starts for the Buffalo Bills this week
against the Jacksonville
Jaguars. He came off the bench last week to replace injured starter Rob Johnson and led the
Bills to a 31-24 win over the Indianapolis colts. Johnson still is
injured. Flutie has to start.
It is the moment Doug Guys everywhere have been awaiting. Turn your eyes
toward Buffalo because that is where the magic is going to happen. Our man
is running the show. At last.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Leigh Montville is a frequent
contributor to CNN/Sports Illustrated.
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