What he lacked in size, he had in heart, smarts, and natural ability on the gridiron. Boston College gave Doug a scholarship late, coercing the youth to choose BC over the University of New Hampshire. According to the National Football Foundation, Flutie would not give up on his dream of being the Eagle’s quarterback, even though he was fifth on the depth chart as a freshman.

Through hard work and determination, by week 6 of the season, Doug Flutie was the starting QB of Boston College and ended up number 9 in the nation in passing. By the time he was a senior, he had won the Heisman trophy and taken Boston College to multiple Bowl games when they had been absent for over four decades. Doug Flutie entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

After college, Flutie embarked on a long, hard-fought road in a 21-year professional football career as he played in the USFL, NFL, and CFL. He was a six-time CFL Player of the Year before returning to the NFL.