by Lindberg Woodhouse

Created on: November 14, 2008

No discussion of the greatest pound-for-pound quarterback is complete without mentioning Doug Flutie. Generously listed at 5'10" and 180 lbs, Flutie played 12 seasons for a few NFL teams. Maybe when the single-digit Super Bowls were being played, 180 lbs wasn't that small, but in the 90's and 00's that's a good 6" shorter and 40 lbs lighter than most quarterbacks. His accomplishments are relatively few in the NFL, but Flutie's ability to even play competitively at the highest level with his small stature is very remarkable.Although not graced with the ideal 6'5" 235 lb frame, Flutie always made the best of his abilities. Attending Boston College, he showed his grit and arm strength in the 1984 game against the University of Miamithe famous Hail Flutie Game. With 28 seconds left in the game, Flutie drove from his own 20-yard line and ended up throwing a 65-yard TD pass against 30 mph winds, to win the game. At the conclusion of the 1984 season, he became the first quarterback since 1971 to win the Heisman Trophy.

In 1985 it was clear that Flutie wasn't immediately going to get a shot at playing in the NFL due to his small size, so he signed in the short-lived USFL. He then played briefly in the NFL, before he got the chance to prove himself in the CFL.

Shortly after signing in the CFL, Flutie passed for over 6,000 yards in a season and ended up winning three Grey Cup championships and one Grey Cup MVP award in 8 seasons. After which, in 1998 at the age of 36, Flutie was signed by the Buffalo Bills. He was at an age when most quarterbacks would be winding down their career, but Flutie was still in great shape and went on to achieve some noteworthy success in the NFL.

After the Bills started the 1998 season 1-3, coach Wade Phillips put Flutie at the helm, who led the Bills to finish 10-6 and make the playoffs. Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins beat the Bills in the first round, but Flutie was honored with a Pro Bowl selection.

Flutie's story and NFL success made him a fan-favorite, and he continued his success in 1999. The Bills went 11-5, earning a berth in the playoffs, before a highly-controversial decision was made to bench Flutie in favor of Rob Johnson. The so-called Flutie Curse ensued as the Bills lost to the Tennessee Titans via the Music City Miraclea cross-field lateral which led to game-winning a kick return for touchdown as time expired. This was the last time the Bills made the playoffs.

Flutie went on to play as a starter and backup for a rebuilding

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