Doug Flutie

Despite winning the 1984 Heisman Trophy, the NFL had doubts about Flutie's chances of making it at the professional level, pointing again to his small stature. The Buffalo Bills had first shot at drafting Flutie but had made no commitment to do so. Disappointed in the NFL's response, Flutie opted for the United States Football League (USFL) and a five-year, $7 million contract with the New Jersey Generals, owned by Donald Trump. He suspended his studies and played in his first game as a New Jersey General just a month after hanging up his college uniform. Despite posting a winning record, Flutie's experience in New Jersey was frustrating, and he was booed by the crowds more than once. Returning home after the season's end, 22-year-old Flutie married his high school sweetheart and finished his degree in speech communication at BC.

When the USFL folded before the opening of the 1986 season, Flutie ended up with the Chicago Bears in October 1986. He appeared in just four games, and during one of those, television cameras caught him getting verbally berated by coach Mike Ditka. Flutie also had trouble with the team's starting quarterback, Jim McMahon, who publicly referred to him as "America's midget." In October 1987 the Bears traded Flutie to the New England Patriots, but on the year he played in just two games. During the 1988 season Flutie started nine games, passing for 1,150 yards, but he still did not gain the confidence of his coaches. After starting three games early in the 1989 season, he was benched, making only two more appearances the remainder of the year. When Rod Rust became the Patriots' new coach in February 1990, he cut Flutie from the team before spring training camp.

With no immediate takers in the NFL, Flutie turned to the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he found a welcoming home with the British Columbia Lions. Flutie quickly discovered the CFL much to his liking. The league tends toward quicker players, and its rules cater to the passing game. For the first time since he'd left BC, Flutie was again enjoying the game of football. Playing eight seasons in British Columbia, Calgary, and Toronto, Flutie won the league's most outstanding player honors six times, led the league in passing five times, and took his teams to four Grey Cups, winning three. By 1998 he was really to give the NFL another shot.