On January 1st 2006, in what was an otherwise a meaningless Week 17 game between the playoff bound New England Patriots and out of contention Miami Dolphins, the Foxboro Faithful were treated to a surprise football play that hadn’t been seen in over 60 years.
Following a Matt Cassell touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to Tim Dwight, third string quarterback and Massachusetts native Doug Flutie shockingly came running out onto the field to attempt the extra point in what became his final appearance in an NFL game.
Flutie would in fact convert the NFL’s first successful “dropkick” for an extra point in a game since the 1941 league championship by successfully bouncing the ball off of the turf following the snap and booting it through the goal post.
Right after his extra point was scored, Flutie, the fans, and Patriots sideline erupted in celebration.
Even the normally stoic Bill Belichick couldn’t contain his joyous emotion and happiness for Flutie.
“I just thanked him for the opportunity,” Flutie said after the game in regards to Belichick putting him for the chance at history. Flutie felt
he had “probably an 80 percent chance [of making the kick]. It was fun.” Flutie had been practicing the kick earlier in the season and Belichick felt it would be a proper send off for Flutie that day.
So with the 15 year anniversary of the kick being this week, take a look back the memorable ending to Flutie’s football career.
Drop kick Flutie!
Throwing it back to the time @DougFlutie converted a drop kick vs. Miami in 2006. pic.twitter.com/C9ieyoxesE
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 26, 2019
As an accompaniment to this anniversary, be sure to also read Christopher Price’s inside story behind the play in a Boston Globe feature piece that was released on Friday.
Always a fun and memorable part of my career, thank you @BostonGlobe! @Patriots #dropkick #15yearsago https://t.co/enPL6Wd9Be
— Doug Flutie (@DougFlutie) January 1, 2021
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