When you think of one-hit wonders, your mind probably drifts to musicians like Vanilla Ice, Right Said Fred, Milli Vanilli, and hundreds of others that had their 15 minutes of fame. Sports is no different, and there is no shortage of one-hit wonders throughout NFL history.
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Here's a gander at half a dozen one-hit wonders whose star blazed brightly for a hot minute before fizzling out across the sky.
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Matt Flynn
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AP Photo/Rogelio Solis[/credit]
Drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in the 2008 NFL Draft, Flynn started in place of Aaron Rodgers during a meaningless week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions in 2012. He set the single-game franchise record with 480 yards passing and six TD strikes, and by doing so became one of the most coveted signal callers of the offseason.
Seattle came a-knocking to the tune of $20.5 million over three years with $9 million guaranteed. It seemed all but a sure thing that Flynn would lead the Seahawks during week 1, but third-round draft selection Russell Wilson proved the better QB and Flynn would end the season with just three completions for nine yards.
The Raiders traded for him in April of 2013 to compete for the starting gig, but by October of that year, Oakland let him go. Flynn's career ended with just 2,541 yards passing, 17 TDs, and 11 interceptions.
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Gary Barnidge
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AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee[/credit]
The Cleveland tight end that saved fantasy football owners everywhere in 2015 was gone as quickly as he arrived.
After a forgettable five seasons in Carolina, including a 2011 lost to injury, Barnidge came out of nowhere in 2015 to record 1,043 receiving yards on 79 catches with nine touchdowns for the Browns — the latter of which featured some of the most acrobatic catches of the year.
His numbers dropped considerably in 2016 with 55 catches for 612 yards and a pair of scores. He was cut the following April and never played another snap.
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Peyton Hillis
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AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin[/credit]
From nobody to Madden cover to nobody: The Peyton Hillis story.
After two ho-hum seasons in Denver, Hillis exploded in Cleveland for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010. His epic season made him a fan-favorite for the Madden NFL 12 cover vote. Hillis would beat out the likes of Matt Ryan, Ray Rice, Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick before winning the vote in April of 2011.
Over the next four seasons, including stints with the Chiefs and Giants, Hillis would never run for more than 587 yards or three scores in a single year.
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Scott Mitchell
Before there was Matt Flynn, Scott Mitchell was the poster child for quarterbacks converting a few good starts into a massive contract before failing to meet expectations.
With Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino lost to injury during the 1993 season, Mitchell stepped in for the final seven games and threw for 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Lions jumped on Mitchell in the offseason and he promptly "rewarded" them with 11 interceptions to 10 touchdowns in just nine starts. He had a breakout season in 1995 in tossing 32 scores and leading Detroit to a 10-6 record, but it was more of the same afterward, and he never came close to living up to the $21 million contract ($8 million guaranteed).
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Timmy Smith
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AP Photo/Bob Galbraith[/credit]
Smith played three years in the NFL, including two with the Washington Redskins. After running for a paltry 126 yards during his 1987 rookie campaign, Smith shattered that total with 204 yards and two touchdowns in a Super Bowl XXII romp.
He was out of the league for good just two years later.
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Larry Brown
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AP Photo/Beth Keiser[/credit]
Larry Brown is the cornerback equivalent of being at the right place at the right time both literally and figuratively.
Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the no. 320 selection overall, the relatively unknown Brown was thrust into the national spotlight when Pittsburgh Steelers QB Neil O'Donnell hit Brown right in the hands twice during Super Bowl XXX in 1996. He returned one for a touchdown and found himself hoisting the MVP trophy when it was all over.
Raiders owner Al Davis fell in love with Brown the following offseason and gave him a massive five-year deal worth $12.4 million and $3.5 million guaranteed. He was a backup the following season and cut in 1998.
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