Sacked Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie surprised some last month by turning up on the New England Patriots' team roster for a one-year "backup" gig. The audience at the Medford, Massachusetts, Music for Middlesex III concert got a surprise on May 14 when the sometime-drummer turned out to be the advertised "surprise guest" on a bill that included Jon Butcher, Ian "Bay City Rollers" Mitchell, Duke and the Drivers, and James Montgomery. Rumors swirled that Steven Tyler was to be the surprise guest after the Aerosmith singer was spotted (with Flutie) in the concert venue the afternoon of the show. Near midnight, Flutie took the stage with Montgomery's band and played drums (barefoot) on two songs, including Bo Diddley's "Road Runner."

Flutie, who lives in Natick, Massachusetts, and won a Heisman trophy while at Boston College, "took the place by storm," according to attendee Brian Gibson. "Everyone was slapping him on the back and saying, 'Welcome home'.... He's a real hero around here. We're glad the Chargers fired him."