Hail Flutie
Break out those tattered No. 22 BC jerseys. Monday is Doug Flutie Day in Boston, as one of the region's most popular athletes receives the 2006 Red, White & Blue Award at a concert /retirement party at Symphony Hall . Flutie, 43, says he's planning to sit in with headliners Boston at the gig, he hopes on one of his favorite songs, "Smokin' ." We spoke with the Boston College legend yesterday as he got ready for the show, which benefits the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism . -- GEOFF EDGERS
Q I know you're so passionate about raising money to help find a cure, or at least better treatments, for autism. How does stem cell research play into it?
A I don't know a lot about it. . . . But it's always a possibility. I know that as of, jeez, somewhere around five years ago, I was at a seminar and they were talking about zeroing in on the gene for autism and how close they were. I don't know how close things are getting.
Q So are you for stem cell research?
A I don't want to get into political issues.
Q OK. How about football ? I'm a huge fan and I'm still convinced you never got a real chance in the NFL. Don't you think you got robbed?
A No. I would never trade the years I spent in Canada for anything. They were the most enjoyable. I had a chance to play for Buffalo, made it to the Pro Bowl. Had some success. It was always a unique situation for me, if I wasn't the guy right away, that tended to create problems.
Q Let's play word association. Rob Johnson : the guy who took your job in Buffalo and then disappeared.
A Rob was just a very talented guy that never fulfilled what he could have done.
Q Raymond Berry : the Patriots coach who benched you for winning.
A Just a nice guy.
Q He just couldn't handle having you on the team.
A Your starter's out there busting his tail , and things aren't going right , and people are chanting for the backup. It didn't take much.
Q Did you ever want to tell those fans, the ones making it so hard for you, to just shut up for a minute?
A I remember feeling that way a couple of times on the sideline , hiding your head , kneeling down.
Q You retired after last year. Could you still come back and play?
A Physically I feel fine. . . . It's just the grind of a season. Being a backup is more challenging as far as the mental aspect. You've got to keep your head in there every day .
Q OK. So a guy gets injured and they call you up and say, "Doug, we need a starter, pronto." Would you take it?
A I think I'm done. And the amazing thing is now I notice howhard guys are getting hit. Some of the injuries , some of the things going on on the field I don't like. I think people intentionally try to injure others. I think I picked the right time to get out.
