For Flutie, the Miracle lives forever

Doug Flutie - and his newly unveiled statue - were the centers of attention yesterday outside BC's Alumni Stadium. (Bill Greene/Globe Staff)

For a moment, it was 24 years ago, a November day in Miami when Doug Flutie made history.

"I was just having fun," said the former Boston College quarterback yesterday outside Alumni Stadium, explaining his Hail Mary pass that beat the University of Miami, 47-45, Nov. 23, 1984, at the Orange Bowl. He was reminiscing during the unveiling of a bronze statue commemorating the event known as the "Miracle in Miami."

"It's like a family reunion for all of us," said Flutie, who was joined by family, friends, and some former teammates. "Boston College is such a big part of my life and it always has been."

The gathering of a couple of hundred fans cheered Flutie, Gerard Phelan (who caught the winning 48-yard touchdown pass that traveled some 65 yards in the air), and Jack Bicknell Jr., who snapped the ball on the winning play and is now BC's assistant head coach.

Highlights of Flutie's college career, which began with him as a punt returner and ended with him winning the Heisman Trophy, were shown.

"To me, [the Hail Mary] was just a play," said former BC coach Jack Bicknell Sr. "What I remember is the years, so many moments, so much fun."

Flutie tried to put it into perspective. "Just thinking about how much fun we had," he said. "These kids don't have any fun. They work their tails off. It's nowhere near as much fun."

As for the statue depicting him throwing the pass, Flutie could only shake his head. "I'm a little bit in awe," he said. "I've received a lot of honors, a lot of awards, but I was really anticipating today, being with people who care about each other for 30 years and then coming down and seeing the statue, to know you are going to be there and be part of the history of Boston College. My nephew [BC wide receiver Billy Flutie] is going to walk across campus and see that statue every day. I don't know how to describe it, but it's really cool."