Former NFL QB Doug Flutie came to the campus as part of the school's Distinguished Speaker Series, which brings 'famous' or 'notable' people in their profession to UNC-P. Other speakers in the 2008-2009 series included Patch Adams, Hugh Johnson of Pepsi, actor Lou Gossett, and Adreana Huffington.
As a member of the Honors College, I was able to have dinner with Mr. Flutie (sorry - Doug) before his speach. Doug Flutie preferred not to be called Mr., because he said it made him feel old.
Before the dinner, all Distinguished Speakers do an interview at the school's tv station, WNCP. As a memeber of the Mass Communications department, I was able to sit in the audience as Flutie talked about growing up, sports, and family in the hour taping.
Off to the dinner, where myself, along with a member of the school's wrestling team and softball team, were placed at the head table with Flutie himself along with the school's Chancellor and his family. An hour and a half long meal followed, where again the topic of Flutie's life and different aspects were discussed.
Moving over to GPAC, students and other guest of the dinner were placed center stage in the first rows as Flutie came out and spoke for about two hours before opening up a question and answer session. Where the best question arose -
"Ahh, Mr. Flutie, we play a little pickup football on Tuesday nights, and the Orange team is lacking in the quarterback department. We were wondering if you would like to play QB for us tonight?" asked a student.
Flutie's reply - "I would, but I don't have any clothes."
Problem solved. A few minutes later, the student who asked the question exited GPAC, only to return a few minutes later, placing a pair of warm-up pants and t-shirt on the edge of the stage.
Laughter erupted, but according to the students, when they aproached Flutie for his autograph duriong his autograph session a little while later, Flutie said "give me 5 minutes" and he's be out there to play.
As a member of the press (UNC-P's The Pine Needle) I recieved the call that Flutie was actually playing. I ran over to the intramural field, where I snapped pics of Flutie tossing the pigskin and playing a little defensive back on the opposite side of the ball. He even threw two picks (yes, as in INT's) during the touch football game.
But Flutie was a little hungry, after all he had given a speech, signed autographs, and played about an hour's worth of football.
About five hours removed from dinner, Flutie called up Domino's and ordered 10 pizzas, following the students to the University's Student Center, where he stayed for another hour or so, before finally leaving around 11:30 pm.
Flutie was one of the coolest people, or should I say percieved celebrities, that I have ever been around. Granted the list is short, but what other celebrity figures (movies, tv, sports, music, etc.) would spend their night hanging out and telling stories with college kids? Any others come to mind?
And I can personally say I have met someone like this, complete with an autographed pic and a photo with myself and Flutie. (Tragically, the picture was not taken on my camera, and I have not been able to aquire a copy yet.)
(picture - Nick Phillips, UNC-P's The Pine Needle)
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