7) THE STATUE OF LIBERTY | TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: SECRET OF THE OOZE (1991)
The most common variation of this play involves the QB taking the snap, dropping back, and faking a throw. He then places the ball behind his back with the non-throwing hand, and pump fakes a throw to one side of the field. Hopefully, as the defense scrambles to that side, he’s able to hand the ball off to a back or receiver who then runs down the opposite side of the field and remains uncovered.
Who ran it?
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze, the turtles run the play in April’s apartment with a slice of pizza instead of a football. Sort of. They call “Statue of Liberty” but, really, Michelangelo just snaps the pizza to Donatello, who tosses the slice to Raphael. This type of muddled play calling is exactly why the gang never won any flag football Sewer Bowls.
Does it work?
Executed correctly, this play is a high-yardage guarantee. But that’s rare considering the timing and precision that’s needed to pull it off. In a regular season game against Michigan, Oregon QB Dennis Dixon faked a Statue of Liberty play to Jonathan Stewart, who ran unseen for the touchdown.
