Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Nov. 23, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Nov. 23, 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie completed one of the most famous passes in college football history, connecting with Gerald Phelan for a 48-yard touchdown with no time left on the clock as Boston College defeated the Miami Hurricanes 47-45.
The “Hail Flutie” pass play, 40 years old today, remains what most game-winning heaves are measured against.
The play also generated a phenomenon, the Flutie effect or Flutie factor, which is the increase in fame of an American university caused by a successful sports team. The game-winning pass purportedly boosted applications to the college the following year.
Flutie is a unique character who found success at just about every turn of his career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1984. He played 12 NFL seasons and also starred in the Canadian Football League.
He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Flutie was also inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, becoming the first non-Canadian inductee.
For BYU fans, the 1980 Holiday Bowl-winning pass play from Jim McMahon to Clay Brown to beat SMU was the original “miracle moment.”
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Flutie, the play and game-winning heaves through the years:
“Who had better ‘miracle’ — McMahon or Flutie?”
“Buffaloes’ miracle pass is stuff of legends”
“Flutie calls quick Vick ‘scary’ QB”
“Argonauts go nuts to sign MVP Flutie”
“Flutie adds drop kick to his football legacy”
“Now Doug Flutie’s just fighting for a job”
“Is there too much emphasis (or not enough) on college sports?”
