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an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Feelings come "roaring back" for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY — Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. Advertisement "That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though," the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. "So many fond memories, so emotional too," said Flutie. "I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. Advertisement "It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage." The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. Advertisement "I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun," Flutie said. "When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. "You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing." Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Advertisement Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. "He taught me the CFL game, the passing game," Flutie said. "In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. "Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?" Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Advertisement Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. "Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever," Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. "My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other," Flutie said. "Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Feelings come 'roaring back' for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY – Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. 'That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though,' the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. 'So many fond memories, so emotional too,' said Flutie. 'I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. 'It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage.' The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. 'I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun,' Flutie said. 'When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. 'You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing.' Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. 'He taught me the CFL game, the passing game,' Flutie said. 'In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. 'Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?' Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever,' Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. 'My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other,' Flutie said. 'Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Toronto Star
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Feelings come 'roaring back' for former CFL star quarterback Doug Flutie in Calgary
CALGARY - Doug Flutie expects to feel the itch Saturday. One of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time will be on the sidelines of the Calgary Stampeders' season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as Flutie and other alumni celebrate the Stampeders' 80th anniversary. 'That's the problem. If I'm on the sideline, I want to pick up a ball and throw it. I don't want to get hit anymore though,' the 62-year-old Flutie said Friday at McMahon Stadium. Knowing he would attend a reunion of sorts, Flutie says he watched some of the games he played with the Stampeders from 1992 to 1995 when he won three of his record six awards for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player, and led Calgary to a Grey Cup victory in '92. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The frigid '92 Western final at McMahon also stands out for Flutie. His shoe flew off while scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with half a minute remaining in the game. 'So many fond memories, so emotional too,' said Flutie. 'I went and re-watched some parts of games just to remember all the guys for sure and the emotions come right back and seeing the hugs on the sideline, the joy or the passion to try to win it all. 'It all comes roaring back. How close that team was, all the hugs on the sideline, the emotion of the guys, the scene in the locker room afterwards, all that type of footage.' The NFL's initial disinterest in the undersized Boston College star pivot sent Flutie north of the border where he played for the B.C. Lions, the Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Flutie won a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts. He still holds the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 6,619 in 1991 with the B.C. Lions. He threw for over 5,700 yards in five of his eight CFL seasons. Flutie's CFL exploits revitalized the NFL's interest and he went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I am forever grateful to the CFL for kind of rekindling my career and getting me going and rebuilding my confidence, and it was fun,' Flutie said. 'When I was in the NFL, I was always fatigued. You're up early, you're in the office, extra long meetings all day, 12, 14-hour days. Because of the way this is set up, it's not like that. 'You had time on your own to go in and watch extra film if you felt like it. You hung out with the guys a lot more, so it was pure fun for eight years and I wouldn't change a thing.' Flutie was the first non-Canadian inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame the following year. Calgary's current special advisor John Hufnagel was Flutie's offensive co-ordinator during the quarterback's Stampeder days. 'He taught me the CFL game, the passing game,' Flutie said. 'In a lot of interviews, I'll talk about how I called my own plays and then I got back to the NFL and was back to having a radio in your helmet. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Well, I could call my own plays because I stole Huff's offence and went to Toronto with it, right?' Flutie will join Marcus Crandell, who signed a one-day contract this week to officially retire as a Stampeder, kicker Mark McLoughlin, receivers Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland, running back Jon Cornish and linebacker Alex Singleton among Stampeders alumni Saturday. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was Flutie's successor as the team's quarterback after the latter departed for the Argonauts in 1996. 'Happy to have a bunch of the guys here, but Doug to me is still the tops in the CFL ever,' Dickenson said. Flutie, who lives in Florida and says he surfs a lot, addressed Dickenson's team Friday ahead of its first game of the 2025 season. 'My words of advice, different perspective, I'm 62 years old now, it's a short window of time, enjoy it, get to know each other,' Flutie said. 'Don't be lazy, be prepared and take advantage of the situation because it doesn't last long.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USC's super regional dreams dashed in season-ending loss to Oregon State
USC's Jack Basseer, right, is tagged out by Oregon State catcher Wilson Weber after striking out during the Trojans' 9-0 loss in the NCAA Corvallis Regional final on Monday. (Shotgun Spratling / For The Times) There's levels to a proper program build. Baby steps have to sometimes be taken, even if everyone involved would like to jump past several of those. Lessons have to be learned. Experiences, both positive and negative, have to be endured. USC suffered through one of those difficult experiences, getting manhandled by national championship contender Oregon State for the second day in a row in the Corvallis Regional final. The Beavers completely shut down USC's offensive attack in the winner-take-all regional final, eliminating the Trojans from the NCAA tournament with a 9-0 victory. Advertisement Read more: Ethan Hedges homers twice to lift USC baseball past Saint Mary's in NCAA tournament Oregon State freshman James DeCremer, making just his second start of the season, held USC (37-23) to just two hits in five scoreless innings. Then sophomore Eric Segura, who was pulled in the first inning of his start Friday after getting knocked around by Saint Mary's, fired three scoreless frames. Sophomore Laif Palmer closed out the final inning, inducing the fifth double play of the day and getting a strikeout after the Trojans managed only their third hit. All three Oregon State pitchers fired mid-90s fastballs, something rare among USC pitchers. The Beavers did it with young arms and a fearsome heart of its lineup as three of its four big boppers — Aiva Arquette, Gavin Turley and Trent Caraway — all hit home runs. Turley got the Beavers on the board in the first inning, chopping a single through the right side to score Easton Talt after he led off with a double off the right-center field wall. As Turley waited on deck for his second at-bat, Arquette expanded Oregon State's lead to 3-0, launching a 414-foot homer into the left-center field bleachers for his 18th home run but first in front of the Goss Stadium fans. Turley then hit a solo home run that traveled 418 feet and left his bat at 110 mph. USC shortstop Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek holds on to the ball to force out a runner at second base on Monday. (Shotgun Spratling / For The Times) The Beavers added tallies in each of the next two innings, with Caraway launching a parabolic shot to left field in the fifth inning. It was his fifth home run in as many Corvallis Regional games, and it helped him earn Most Outstanding Player honors for the regional. Advertisement Jacob Krieg put the finishing touches on the beatdown with a three-run homer in the eighth inning. With the win, Oregon State (44-13-1) advances to the super-regional round. It will host Florida State in a three-game series starting Friday after the Seminoles won the Tallahassee Regional. Sign up for more USC news with Times of Troy. In your inbox every Monday morning. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jordy Bahl is a force in the circle and at the plate while leading Nebraska's NCAA softball run
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — It's not just the dominance she's shown in the circle, the power she's flashed at the plate or Nebraska's run to its first NCAA super regional in more than a decade that told Jordy Bahl she made the right decision to come home after she won two national championships at Oklahoma. It's all that and more, like being 45 minutes away from her tight-knit family in Papillion, forging bonds with teammates and representing the state she loves. 'When I see pictures from the heat of the battle,' coach Rhonda Revelle said, 'her eyes look happy, and I like that, and I like that for her.' There's a lot to be happy about for Bahl and the Cornhuskers (42-13), who open a best-of-three super regional at No. 7 seed Tennessee (43-14) on Friday. Bahl is the first player to sweep Big Ten pitcher and player of the year honors, a finalist for national player of the year and a first-team All-American for the third time. She's 25-6 with a 1.50 ERA and ranks in the top 10 nationally in eight pitching categories. Her 270 strikeouts are a career high. She's fifth in the nation with a .475 average and seventh with a school-record 23 home runs. Of her 76 hits, 41 have gone for extra bases. She's the fifth player in NCAA history to record at least 20 pitching wins and 20 homers in the same season. 'I know the Lord is the author of my life,' Bahl said, 'and there are just so many surreal moments lately where I just step back and I'm like, 'Wow, I'm so undeserving. Just to be able to experience this and to have these amazing teammates to do it with make it all the sweeter.' Bahl was the 2021 national high school player of the year at Papillion-La Vista High and passed on an offer from Nebraska to join an Oklahoma program that had, at the time, won five national championships under Patty Gasso. Two more national titles followed with Bahl going a combined 44-2 with 397 strikeouts and an 0.99 ERA in 288 2/3 innings. Bahl was the most dominant pitcher in the nation when she left OU after the 2023 season. She had just gone through the NCAA Tournament with a 7-0 record and 0.18 ERA. In the WCWS alone, she threw 24 2/3 shutout innings and was voted Most Outstanding Player. But the pull of home kept tugging at her. She wears her heart on her right bicep, where there's a tattoo of the outline of the state of Nebraska. She said she felt called to help grow the sport in the state, and the Huskers have drawn their largest crowds over the past two seasons. This year Bahl has led the teams' onslaught on school offensive records. The Huskers are just the 11th team in NCAA history to record at least 100 doubles and 100 home runs in a season. Their momentum carried into the postseason. They're the first unseeded team to win each of its NCAA regional games by the run rule. Bahl started all three games in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last week, and allowed one run and two hits with 16 strikeouts over 12 innings. In two games against regional finalist Southeastern Louisiana, she struck out 13 of 29 batters over nine innings. 'Jordy is something fierce in the circle,' Lions coach Rick Fremin said. 'We faced her a few years ago. She was tough then and she's even tougher now in a different uniform.' Bahl homered in each of her first four at-bats at the regional and finished 5 for 5 with seven walks, eight RBIs and seven runs scored. No pitching strategy worked against her. 'It doesn't matter if it's up, down, in, out, hard or soft, it's going to be tattooed,' Fremin said. 'So good luck figuring that out. That's somebody else's problem now.' Bahl's offensive prowess has been eye-opening. She didn't get many opportunities at the plate in her two years at Oklahoma. She bats leadoff at Nebraska. 'I could have told you her freshman year in high school she was this kind of offensive player,' Revelle said. 'If she never would have pitched, she probably could have been an All-American second baseman with hitting like this, or wherever she played.' In addition to her 31 starts in the circle, she's played 13 games at first base, three in center field, two in left and three as the designated player (formerly called the designated hitter). 'A lot of athletes could learn so much from her,' Revelle said. 'She is not focused on numbers, accolades. She's focused on one mission, and it's helping, doing whatever she can to help the team win, and she's just talented enough that she can do a lot of things to help the team win.' Bahl and the Huskers could be a major storyline if they win two more games and advance to the WCWS. They would play Oklahoma in the first round if the Sooners win their home super regional against Alabama. ___ AP college sports:
