Fifty years after the legendary “Hail Mary” catch that made him a Dallas Cowboys icon, Drew Pearson is celebrating another defining moment — his long-awaited induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Appearing on Dallas Sports Network’s “Hail to Drew” episode, Pearson reflected on the emotional journey that led to his enshrinement in 2021, decades after his historic play against the Minnesota Vikings cemented his legacy.
“You got in the Hall of Fame in 2021. What was that moment like for you?” host Chris Yates asked.
“Man, it was great,” Pearson said. “You know, you mentioned I waited a long time for that. It’s something I wanted. I didn’t think I was better than anybody else, but I think my career warranted that compared to others going in.”
Pearson, who spent his entire NFL career with the Cowboys from 1973 to 1983, became known as “Mr. Clutch” for his ability to deliver in critical moments. Despite his on-field achievements, he was overlooked by voters for years before finally earning football’s highest honor.
“It’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so what do you do? You just wait your turn,” Pearson said. “I criticized them a little bit one time about the process and regretted doing that because one day if you become a Hall of Famer, the big part of the enshrinement weekend is the Hall of Fame luncheon. It’s just Hall of Famers in there. You don’t want to go in there and you’ve bashed somebody.”
Yates said Pearson’s patience ultimately paid off. “The hall always says they get it right,” he said. “They finally got it right. Took a long time though.”
The 2021 induction class recognized Pearson’s decade-long career in Dallas, where he totaled 489 receptions, 7,822 yards, and 48 touchdowns — including the iconic 1975 Hail Mary grab from quarterback Roger Staubach.
Watch the full episode here on the Dallas Sports Network YouTube channel.
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