Free Republic

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (May 15, 2006) -- Doug Flutie retired from pro football, ending a 21-year career in which the Heisman Trophy winner puzzled both opposing defenses and his own coaches with his unconventional style at quarterback. The decision by the 43-year-old Flutie was announced by the New England Patriots, for whom he played five games last season. Flutie spent 12 seasons in the NFL and also played in the USFL and the Canadian Football League. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award six times and the league's Grey Cup championship three times. Flutie finishes with 14,715 passing yards and...

At an impasse Gates misses deadline, to be suspended by Chargers Posted: Saturday August 20, 2005 5:14PM; Updated: Saturday August 20, 2005 6:27PM SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Antonio Gates didn't meet the San Diego Chargers' ultimatum to sign a contract by Saturday afternoon, meaning the defending AFC West champions will be without their All-Pro tight end for at least the season opener against Dallas. In an extreme move to break an impasse in negotiations, the Chargers ordered Gates to report to camp and sign a contract or face a three-game suspension. Gates' agent and the Chargers continued to negotiate up...