‘Doug Flutie: A Football Life’ Premieres Friday, October 17 at 9:00 PM ET on NFL Network
“Doug turns his weakness into his strength. Being short made him great. It made him bigger than everyone else in a way.” – Ian Thomsen
“When you are 6’4 you have to prove that you can’t play. When you are 5’10 you have to prove that you can play.” – Laurie Flutie
Former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback Doug Flutie is still regarded as one of the most beloved quarterbacks in football history. The Heisman Trophy-winner first entered the spotlight when he completed a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass in a game against the University of Miami in 1984 – considered one of the greatest moments in college football history. While people doubted his success as a professional quarterback due to his height, Flutie had a successful 21-year career and was inducted to both the College Football Hall of Fame (2007) and Canadian Football Hall of Fame (2008).
NFL Network’s series A Football Life continues Friday, October 17 at 9:00 PM ET with a profile of Flutie. The one-hour, NFL Films-produced documentary focuses on Flutie’s football career, beginning in high school, through his time at Boston College and ending with his professional career in both the NFL and CFL. The show focuses on Flutie’s constant adversity due to his small stature and how he was able to overcome his height to be regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation.
Doug Flutie: A Football Life features interviews with Flutie, his wife Laurie Flutie, his brothersBill and Darren, his former Boston College quarterback coach Tom Coughlin, former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former San Diego Chargers teammate Drew Brees and more.
Following the premiere of Doug Flutie: A Football Life on NFL Network, the episode – along with the entire A Football Life series – will be available on NFL Now, the League’s next-generation video service. Providing fans access to the largest digital library of NFL video anywhere, NFL Now dynamically personalizes each fan’s viewing experience, allowing them to follow their favorite NFL teams and players. Visit NFL.com/now for more information.
Every episode of A Football Life – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Among the topics discussed in Doug Flutie: A Football Life are:
- Flutie’s high school career playing quarterback with his brother Bill Flutie as his wide receiver
- His college recruitment process, and how Boston College was the only Division I school to offer him an athletic scholarship
- Flutie’s climb to first-string and success as quarterback at Boston College, specifically the famous “Hail Mary” pass during the University of Miami game
- His successful professional career in the NFL, CFL and USFL
- How he still maintains an active lifestyle by playing in a baseball league, surfing and playing the drums in a band with his two brothers
Emmy-nominated actor Josh Charles narrates.
Doug Flutie: A Football Life includes interviews with the following people and more:
Doug Flutie
Tom Lamb – Doug’s high school coach
Bill Flutie – Doug’s brother
Darren Flutie – Doug’s brother, British Columbia teammate
Laurie Flutie – Doug’s wife
Barry Gallup – Former Boston College assistant coach
Steve DeOssie – Boston College teammate
Tom Coughlin – Former Boston College quarterback coach
Ian Thomsen – Author of Flutie!
Gerard Phelan – Boston College teammate
Mike Ditka – Former Bears head coach
Irving Fryar – Patriots teammate
Dave Sapunjis – Calgary teammate
Larry Ryckman – Former Calgary owner
John Hufnagel – Former Calgary offensive coordinator
Michael Clemons – Toronto teammate
Paul Masotti – Toronto teammate
Vic Carucci – Buffalo News
A.J. Smith – Former Bills director of pro personnel
Wade Phillips – Former Bills head coach
Drew Brees – Chargers teammate
Provided below are some select quotes from Doug Flutie: A Football Life:
– “I was very close to playing at an Ivy League School. The Division I schools, when a coach would come visit all he would talk about was my size.” –Doug Flutie on being recruited by colleges
– “Doug was an afterthought to the offense and I have no doubt that he had a chip on his shoulder because a lot of people didn’t believe in him.” – Steve DeOssie on Flutie’s early days at Boston College
– “All of those guys who told me that I was too short and how complicated the game was, it is not that complicated. It is the same game I have always played.” – Doug Flutie
– “There’s not a lot of people out there who could tell you all of Doug’s numbers, but they could certainly tell you about his big plays. He’s a guy who just found a way to make things happen in any number of different ways.” – Steve DeOssie on Flutie’s legacy
– “A lot of guys got aggravated with me when I brought Doug to Chicago. I brought him here because he gave us a better chance to win.” – Mike Ditka on bringing Flutie to Chicago
– “What Doug did in these games is probably the best football that has ever been played. I know that is a really bold thing to say, but Doug would do things that you don’t see anymore.”– Larry Ryckman on Flutie’s CFL legacy
– “To have six MVPs and then to add three Grey Cups, he has made his mark up here which will never diminish and to me, he is easily the best CFL player that has ever played.” – Paul Masotti on Flutie’s CFL legacy
– “When you are 6’4 you have to prove that you can’t play. When you are 5’10 you have to prove that you can play.” – Laurie Flutie
– “Doug turns his weakness into his strength. Being short made him great. It made him bigger than everyone else in a way.” – Ian Thomsen
This season, A Football Life airs Friday at 9:00 PM ET on NFL Network. Below is the broadcast schedule for the remaining October and November episodes:
- October 24 – Terrell Davis
- October 31 – Ricky Williams
- November 7 – Earl Campbell
- November 14 – Csonka, Kiick & Morris
- November 21 – Lyle Alzado
- November 28 – Dick Butkus & Gale Sayers
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