The Hail Mary Pass (December 28, 1975)
Source: https://www.thegamebeforethemoney.com
During the 1975 NFC Divisional Championship Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, also known as “Roger the Dodger” and “Captain America,” would make a pass that only stood a prayer’s chance. Trailing the Vikings 14-10 with 24 seconds remaining, Staubach threw a 50-yard pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson, who, after running his route along the sidelines and beating Vikings cornerback Nate Wright and safety Paul Krause, caught the pass just inside the 5-yard line and ran the touchdown for the win. Since then, any last-second or desperation pass to win a game would forever be known as a “Hail Mary” pass.
