Today In Patriots History 10 years ago today: Dan Connolly's 71-yard kick return

[ctpatsfan77]

The greatest Big Boy play of all time. 4 yards away from the greatest play in NFL history. [Click on "Watch on YouTube."]


And if you subscribe to The Athletic, Jeff Howe has an oral history of the play.

 

[sb1]

Collinsworth's commentary cracked me up.

The loaf of bread carry! lol

 

[Nehalem]

Brady should have brought the 2010 hairdo for the Pandemic season.

 

[archstanton543]

Ol' Dan Connolly.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Collinsworth's commentary cracked me up.

The loaf of bread carry! lol

Also:

• the look on Brady's face ("WTF just happened?").
• Welker and Woodhead in front of him celebrating.
• Al Michaels: "the right guard . . . the RIGHT GUARD!"

 

[everlong]

Two interesting facts I looked up.

1. His 71 yard return is tied for 23rd all time for the Pats.
2. He actually has 4 returns total for 106 yards! Nice little 26.5 average. That also puts him ahead of:

Chad Jackson, Darius Butler, James White, Gino Cappelletti, JR Redmond, James White, Sony Michel, Robert Weathers, Shane Vereen, Mosi Tatupu, David Givens, Stanley Morgan, Jim Nance.......just to name a few who have returns that you would have bet the house on having more than Dan the Man.

 

[Tony2046]

We have so many incredible memories to look back on, like this one, from the twenty year dynasty.

And the Jete fans have this:

 

[farn]

We have so many incredible memories to look back on, like this one, from the twenty year dynasty.

And the Jete fans have this:

This was an amazing play. Real question : if it hadn’t been the NYJ, would that crazy Indy ST play be worse than this ?

 

[Tony2046]

This was an amazing play. Real question : if it hadn’t been the NYJ, would that crazy Indy ST play he worse than this ?

Very good question. I'd say yes.

 

[bormio]

Very good question. I'd say yes.

The Indy play was PLANNED

 

[Chevy]

Collinsworth's commentary cracked me up.

The loaf of bread carry! lol

"You've got to be kidding me ..."

This is, IMHO, the best Patriots play ever (for sheer enjoyment regardless of the circumstances). Yes, Butler was huge, as was Av (several times). But a 300 pound guard with a 71 yard kickoff return is a unicorn.