Quarterback MICHAEL BISHOP and wide receiver TONY SIMMONS of the New England Patriots are the winners of the DirecTV NFL Play of the Week Award for the sixth week of the 2000 season, the NFL announced today.
Trailing 10-3 with three seconds left in the first half of their game last Sunday against Indianapolis, backup quarterback Bishop was called on to throw the first pass of his NFL career with the Patriots on the Colts' 44-yard line.
"He has a real strong arm and the receivers were going to have to get a little further down the field, " said Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK. "He could buy time for the receivers because he also has a bit of mobility."
Bishop rolled to his right and threw a "Hail Mary" pass to the front corner of the end zone. Simmons positioned himself in front of several Colts defenders and outleaped everyone for the touchdown, tying the game at 10-10.
"After I caught it, I dropped to my knees to make sure I was in bounds because I had no idea where I was," said Simmons.
In honor of their achievement, DirecTV will make a contribution in the names of Bishop and Simmons to the United Way.
Fans can view the DirecTV Play of the Week each Tuesday on nfl.com.
This is the first season of the DirecTV NFL Play of the Week. DirecTV will donate a total of $10,000 in the names of the weekly winners to the United Way.
| **Week** | **Player(s)** | **Play** |
| 1 | Buccaneers QB Shaun King & WR Reidel Anthony | Faked spike, 8-yard TD pass. |
| 2 | Jets WR Wayne Chrebet | Spectacular game-winning touchdown catch. |
| 3 | Jets CB Marcus Coleman | Defender catches first-half Hail Mary TD. |
| 4 | Jets RB Curtis Martin & WR Wayne Chrebet | Halfback game-winning TD pass. |
| 5 | Redskins PR Deion Sanders | 57-yard overtime punt return. |
| 6 | Patriots QB Michael Bishop & WR Tony Simmons | 44-yard Hail Mary TD to end first half. |
