Gerard Phelan is a former college football player, who lined up at wide receiver for Boston College. College football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, Colleges and military academies A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football For similarly-named academic institutions see Education in Boston MA. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (108th overall pick) in the 1985 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots, commonly called the " Pats " by sports writers and fans are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston The 1985 National Football League Draft amateur college selection procedure known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting

Phelan is fondly remembered for his efforts on November 23, 1984, in which his Eagles traveled to the Orange Bowl for a showdown against the University of Miami. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) The Miami Orange Bowl was a Stadium in the City of Miami, west of Downtown in Little Havana. The University of Miami (also known as Miami of Florida, UM, or just The U) is a private non-sectarian University founded in 1925 In that game, often cited among the greatest college football games of all time, Phelan caught 11 of quarterback Doug Flutie's 46 pass attempts for an astounding 226 receiving yards. College football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, Colleges and military academies Quarterback ( QB) is a position in American and Canadian football. Douglas Richard Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is a retired American football and Canadian football Quarterback.

Even with those numbers, Phelan is best remembered for his final reception - officially a 48-yard game-winning Hail Mary touchdown that cemented Phelan as a legend in Boston College lore. A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary play in American football is a Forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success With possession on the Miami 48-yard line[1], Boston College trailed Miami 45-41 with just 6 seconds left, which allowed time for one final shot. A desperation play known as "55 Flood Tip" was signaled, which called for receivers to run toward the end zone and attempt to tip a jump ball to an open receiver. The end zone is a term used in both Canadian football and American football. During the play, Miami's defensive backs stopped before the goal line and allowed Phelan to get behind them - most likely because they did not believe Flutie could throw the ball that far. In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage they In many outdoor ball sports goal line refers to the line which a team is attempting to advance the ball towards As the game clock expired, Flutie eluded a Miami pass-rusher, scrambled to his right to his own 37-yard line and launched the ball. It traveled an impressive 63 yards, over the Miami defenders and into the arms of an untouched Phelan in the end zone. The catch gave Boston College a 47-45 victory. To this day, it is often considered the greatest offensive play in college football history.

Most people tend to remember him from the radio call: "Flute to Gerard Phelan! 48 yards! No time on the clock! It's all over! It is over! Boston College has won this football game!"

Phelan currently works in several business ventures in the Boston area and remains a Boston College fan,