Flutie draws crowd
Dwight camp returns

Football and a friend brought NFL veteran quarterback Doug Flutie to Iowa City on Friday.
Flutie appeared at Tim Dwight's annual youth football camp at City High. He stayed throughout the steamy day and capped his appearance by throwing a touchdown pass to Dwight during a 7-on-7 scrimmage. - NFL Football -
The three-day camp, which concludes today, has drawn a record 492 participants. Dwight credits Flutie for attracting more kids to the camp.
Dwight said the number of applicants increased dramatically after he announced several weeks ago that Flutie would attend the camp.
"I think another 140 kids signed up," said Dwight, who graduated from City High in 1994 and now is a member of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, along with Flutie. "We were at the 325 mark or so and then it was like, Flutie's coming in. The next thing you know it was 401, and then it was 450. - NFL Football -
"And then we had 30-some kids walk in Thursday morning."
Dwight and Flutie became friends while spending the past four seasons as teammates with the San Diego Chargers. - NFL Football -
They both have since moved across the country after signing as free agents with New England, which has won two of the last three Super Bowls.
"I love him as a receiver," Flutie said of Dwight. "When I was in San Diego, I had more trust in him than anybody."
Flutie said his reason for attending Dwight's camp was simple: He wanted to help a friend.
He and Dwight have much in common, including being among the shortest players in the NFL -- both are shorter than 6-foot. - NFL Football -
"I think I've got him by a half inch," Flutie said.
Dwight said Flutie might have been selling himself short.
"I think he's got more than a (half inch) on me," said Dwight, who has been listed at 5-9 throughout his career. "But I squat real heavy, and that crushes the vertebrae."
The fact that Dwight and Flutie both defied the odds by lasting in the NFL has made them closer. Flutie, 42, has played professionally in Canada and the NFL for two decades while Dwight, 29, is entering his eighth season in the NFL. - NFL Football -
"Him and I are kind of attracted to each other because we've always been the small guys and stuff," Dwight said. "We kind of have the same obstacles that we've fought over our careers.
"Plus, we don't screw around. We like to get to business. We like to get to work. We like to get things done. We like to win." - NFL Football -
Flutie said the NFL puts too much of an emphasis on a player's height, especially with regard to receivers.
"They get so excited when they see a 6-4 receiver come into camp, they really do -- coaches, I'm saying," Flutie said. "The first thing out of their mouths when they talk about Tim is, 'He's not great at this or he's not great at that.' - NFL Football -
"OK, that's not his strength. Put him in the slot and nobody is going to cover him."
Flutie thinks Dwight can help New England as a return specialist and as a receiver.
It should help that Dwight finally is healthy after struggling with injuries in each of the past two seasons. Dwight said Friday that he was about 90 percent recovered from a toe injury that hampered him last season.
"I think these next three week are going to put me over the top," said Dwight, who played at the University of Iowa from 1994-97. "My training keeps getting better and better.
"Straight ahead, I'm good. It's some certain cuts that puts a lot a strain on it."
Dwight is careful not to take any credit for New England's recent success. He still has to compete for a roster spot, whereas Flutie is expected to back up Tom Brady.
"It's been great, but everyone's like, 'Oh yeah, good job, world champions,'" Dwight said. "I'm like, 'Listen, I wasn't a part of that team.'" - NFL Football -
Having Flutie in New England has made the transition easier for Dwight. Flutie grew up in Massachusetts and won the 1984 Heisman Trophy while playing for Boston College.
Dwight also has gained inspiration from the atmosphere in New England. Fans have reason to be pumped with the Patriots and Boston Red Sox both coming off championship seasons.
"It's exciting just seeing the whole town of Boston and getting back to a community that's like Iowa is," Dwight said. "That was one of the reasons why it was neat to go there because all the people are fired up about what you do." - NFL Football -
Dwight sometimes has to remind himself that Flutie is over 40 years old. In fact, Dwight was only 9 when Flutie threw his now-famous touchdown pass that beat Miami (Fla.), on the final play of the game in 1984. - NFL Football -
"You watch him run around making guys miss and throwing the ball and being young and working out, and you're like, 'OK, I won't be playing pro ball when I'm over 40, but I hope I'm looking like that,'" Dwight said.

Pat Harty
Iowa City Press-Citizen