Doug Flutie may be the best known BC Eagles quarterback to move on to stardom in the National Football League.

Who can forget his game-winning Hail Mary touchdown pass in the Orange Bowl 1984? With 6 seconds and 48 yards standing between him and the Miami Hurricanes' 41-45 victory, Flutie held back for 3 seconds, then let it fly. And fly it did, sailing into the arms of Gerard Phelan, who fell a yard into the end zone. No time left for kicking the extra point, but it was unnecessary. The 'Canes were stunned. Final score, 47-45 Eagles. It was one of the most exciting football moments ever, not just in BC history. But don't believe me, see for yourself on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-qkpsygNYo Flutie won the prestigious Heismann Trophy that year and was later picked up by the New England Patriots.

Flutie left at the end of the '89 season for the Canadian Football League. But he came back with a vengeance in '98, becoming that year's NFL Comeback Player of the Year after his remarkable season with the Buffalo Bills, culminating in play at the Pro Bowl. Over his career, Flutie has become known for specializing in throwing last second desperation plays successfully.

But Doug Flutie is not the only BC Eagles success story, far from it. No fewer than 31 former BC Eagles have been drafted or signed as free agents by teams in the NFL, Canadian Football League, NFL Europe and Arena Football League as of the 2001 season.

Between 1965 and 2000, Boston College may as well have been called Tight End University, because 15 Eagles offensive TE players were drafted or signed by professional football teams. Another 26 offensive Eagles took advantage of the BC Big East exposure to land their jobs with the pros.

Boston College is not the biggest school in Beantown, and you'd think a Catholic school would be an unlikely place for sports. But there's no arguing with such a spectacular success. BC Eagles ranks high for football players seeking career advancement.