43 NFL players who spent time in other leagues

Arena, the USFL, CFL and other leagues have been the path to the NFL for some players.

Doug Flutie

 JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images

The former Boston College star had a great CFL career. Doug Flutie was selected as the 285th pick in the 11th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, making him the lowest drafted Heisman winner among those who were drafted. He played in the USFL and NFL before the CFL. Flutie signed with the BC Lions in 1990, and in 1991, threw for a record 6,619 yards. He played briefly with his brother Darren, a wide receiver, before being traded to the Calgary Stampeders, whom he led to victory in the 1992 Grey Cup. In 1994, he threw a record 48 touchdown passes. Flutie played for the Stampeders until 1996, when he signed with the Toronto Argonauts, leading them to back-to-back Grey Cup victories in 1996 and 1997. Flutie was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player a record six times, and was named the MVP in all three of his Grey Cup victories. He then went on to play in the NFL, again for the Patriots, Bills and Chargers.

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