Gerard Phelan

No matter where Gerard Phelan goes, somebody mentions the catch.
"It's remarkable how many times I get recognized," says Phelan,
who gained instant fame in 1984 for pulling in a 48-yard Hail
Mary pass from quarterback Doug Flutie in the end zone as time
expired, giving Boston College a 47-45 victory over defending
national champion Miami on national television. "Just the other
day my son and I were watching the Red Sox game, and
[broadcaster] Sean McDonough started talking about it. It's
amazing."

Phelan hung up his cleats after an injury-marred season and a
half with the New England Patriots. In 1989 he joined financial
printing giant Bowne & Co. Inc., where he has worked his way up
from sales rep to vice president. He lives in Milford, Mass.,
with his wife, Lisa, and their three children. "Friends of mine
joke that my obituary is already written," Phelan, 41, says of
the celebrity associated with the catch. "But I think I have a
few more chapters left to write."

--Chris Mannix

COLOR PHOTO: HEINZ KLUETMEIER WELL-RECEIVED It's a small miracle when Phelan isn't recognizedfor his Hail Mary catch.

B/W PHOTO: STEPHEN WILKES