Bo Levi Mitchell and the rest of the Calgary Stampeders’ quarterbacks got taken to school by all-time CFL great Doug Flutie.
Mitchell couldn’t remember exactly when Flutie’s visit took place, but it happened during the 2018 or 2019 seasons. He and his teammates were in the film room with head coach Dave Dickenson when Flutie stopped by unannounced.
“We’re in the film room, Dave’s going over the game plan for the week. Boom! Doug opens the door like the Kool-Aid man,” said Mitchell on a recent episode of The Benny & Bo Show. “Without breaking stride, he walks straight up to the front where Dave is explaining the play.”
Flutie was the starting quarterback of the Calgary Stampeders from 1992 to 1995. He led the team to a 58-14 record, two Grey Cup appearances, and one Grey Cup title. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player three times as a Stampeder, passing for 20,551 yards, 140 touchdowns, and 71 interceptions.
“He goes, ‘Boys, it’s pretty easy — read the Mike. If the Mike drops back, take your drag. If he attaches to the drag, you’re probably taking the dig behind him. If Will attaches that, Mike takes here, check the tailback. If not, safety comes down to take the dig, hit the post over the top. It’s pretty easy,'” said Mitchell.
Flutie’s fast lesson was followed by a stunned silence from Calgary’s quarterbacks.
“Everybody’s like, ‘What?’ And Dave’s just like, ‘And that’s why he’s Doug Flutie,'” said Mitchell.
The story drew a loud laugh from Flutie and podcast co-host Ben Hebert.
While Flutie admits that it took him time to learn the intricacies of the Canadian game, he feels he never got enough credit for his mastery of various schemes.
“I really felt I knew defences. I knew my protections, I could read through progressions, move people around,” said Flutie. “The X-and-O end was my strength and then you can fall back on the athleticism and make plays. It always frustrated me that everybody said, ‘Oh, he’s a scrambler. He just runs around.'”
Flutie was an excellent runner — he rushed for 4,660 yards and 66 touchdowns in the CFL — but there’s no doubt that he also had mastery of the game’s intricacies.
