Durango53
01-30-2006, 08:52 AM
The Pro Football Hall of Fame called Stacey James, the Patriots' executive director of media relations, seeking the football Doug Flutie used for the first successful dropkick in pro football since 1941. But because the Patriots had lined up before Flutie's kick as if it were a play from scrimmage, the net was not raised behind the goalposts, so the ball went into the stands and the waiting arms of a fan who shall remain anonymous at the Patriots' insistence, according to the BOSTON GLOBE.
James told the Hall he would send Flutie's jersey and shoes for display but wasn't sure he could find the football. The team reviewed film to try to locate the lucky fan but came up empty -- until James got a phone message from someone purporting to have the ball or at least know where it was. James left several messages in return but the caller didn't reply until the morning of Jan. 23, when a fax arrived from a lawyer, whom the team also decided to keep anonymous.
According to the fax, the law office represents Mr. X, ''who is in possession of the football recently drop kicked by Doug Flutie for the first extra point scored in the NFL by drop kick in forty one years. My client understands that the New England Patriots may have an interest in purchasing that historic football."
The fan's ''terms and conditions" to give the football back to the Patriots:
''1. Payment of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) DOLLARS [lawyer's capitals] on delivery of the football.
''2. A guarantee of eight (8) season tickets for 25 years in the end zone (preferably sections 142 or 143).
''a. The season tickets will be paid for annually by my client at the then going price for season tickets. The Patriots would not be expected to pay for the tickets.
''3. Delivery by the Patriots to my client sometime in September, 2006, of a Tom Brady Patriots' football jersey signed by all the team members as of the beginning of the next football season."
The Patriots' refusal to accede to a ransom demand for the Flutie ball is a clear example of common sense on the one hand and blind greed on the other.
$100,000 for the football!!!!! :eek:
I like the idea of the 8 season tickets but the dude pays for them and the jersey signed by every player but come on $100,000!!!!
James told the Hall he would send Flutie's jersey and shoes for display but wasn't sure he could find the football. The team reviewed film to try to locate the lucky fan but came up empty -- until James got a phone message from someone purporting to have the ball or at least know where it was. James left several messages in return but the caller didn't reply until the morning of Jan. 23, when a fax arrived from a lawyer, whom the team also decided to keep anonymous.
According to the fax, the law office represents Mr. X, ''who is in possession of the football recently drop kicked by Doug Flutie for the first extra point scored in the NFL by drop kick in forty one years. My client understands that the New England Patriots may have an interest in purchasing that historic football."
The fan's ''terms and conditions" to give the football back to the Patriots:
''1. Payment of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($100,000.00) DOLLARS [lawyer's capitals] on delivery of the football.
''2. A guarantee of eight (8) season tickets for 25 years in the end zone (preferably sections 142 or 143).
''a. The season tickets will be paid for annually by my client at the then going price for season tickets. The Patriots would not be expected to pay for the tickets.
''3. Delivery by the Patriots to my client sometime in September, 2006, of a Tom Brady Patriots' football jersey signed by all the team members as of the beginning of the next football season."
The Patriots' refusal to accede to a ransom demand for the Flutie ball is a clear example of common sense on the one hand and blind greed on the other.
$100,000 for the football!!!!! :eek:
I like the idea of the 8 season tickets but the dude pays for them and the jersey signed by every player but come on $100,000!!!!