Veteran QB Doug Flutie retires

FOXBORO, Mass., May 15 (UPI) -- NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, who played professional football for more than 20 years after a storied college career, Monday announced his retirement.

"I have officially retired," said Flutie, 43. "I'd like to look at it as moving on in my life and looking forward. Looking back it's been 21 years."

Flutie became a legend when he won the 1984 Heisman Trophy at Boston College and connected with Gerard Phelan in the famous "Hail Mary" last-second pass to beat Miami-Florida, considered one of the greatest plays in college football history. His 10,579 passing yards made him the NCAA's all-time passing yard leader when he left college.

Regarded as too small to start in the National Football League, Flutie had 62 NFL starts with 14,715 yards and 86 touchdowns.

Drafted in the 11th round in 1985 by the Los Angeles Rams, Flutie went on to start for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League in the same backfield as Herschel Walker.

Flutie played four games for the Chicago Bears in 1986 and began three years with the Pats in 1987, starting 13 games. He played in the Canadian Football League for eight seasons, leading his teams to three Grey Cup championships.

"I had more fun playing football in Canada in my career, especially the last two years in Toronto," said Flutie, a six-time CFL Most Valuable Player.

Flutie was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1998 when he led the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs, and was selected Comeback Player of the Year. He signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2001, starting 16 games and backed up Drew Bress in 2003 and 2004 before rejoining New England in 2005.