I think Pearson has stated he thought there was a flag thrown because someone threw an orange on the field at that point. You can see him look back in the footage.
Photo of the Drew Pearson Hail Mary
Note the round object just below the left knee of Paul Krause #22. I believe this was the orange that I mentioned in my below post, though I can't really tell. I am still surprised that although this particular play gets mentioned a fair amount - that the orange that was thrown on the field seems to have been forgotten. Those who were hanging on the edge of their seats thought the orange was a flag thrown by an official - and waited...and waited...and waited...for an interference call to be made...one that never came because there was no flag. Only an orange.
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The term "Hail Mary pass" was used by the press to describe a pass by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach in the 1975 wild-card playoffs. The term first came into mainstream use by the sporting press resulting from an interview shortly after the game-winning touchdown pass. Staubach, referring to his desperation (and Catholic faith), for his game-winning touchdown pass in the December 28, 1975, NFC Divisional Playoff Game.
The Dallas Cowboys started with the ball on their own 15-yard line, losing 14-10, with one minute and fifty-one seconds left in the fourth quarter. Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach managed a nine-play drive to midfield against the Minnesota Vikings defense. From midfield, with 24 seconds now remaining, Staubach lined up in the shotgun formation, took the snap, pump-faked left, then turned to his right and threw a desperation pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson, who was being covered by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Nate Wright. Wright fell to the ground and Pearson was barely able to complete the catch by trapping the ball against his right hip at the 5-yard line and stepping into the end zone to make the score 16-14 in favor of Dallas, and what would eventually be the winning touchdown. The point after was successful, making the final score 17-14. In a later interview with Pearson, he stated that he thought he dropped the ball only to find it against his hip and then just waltzed right into the end zone.
[edit] Reactions
As Pearson strode into the end zone for the score, free safety Paul Krause complained to field judge Armen Terzian that an interference penalty on Pearson should have been called. An orange, thrown by a spectator in the stands, whizzed by Pearson at the goal line. The orange is visible on NFL Films footage of the play and was initially confused by some as a penalty flag. More debris was thrown from the stands by angry Vikings fans, enraged that no penalty was called on Dallas.
Defensive tackle Alan Page argued with officials and was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the ensuing kickoff. On Minnesota's next possession with 14 seconds left to play, a Corby's whiskey bottle was thrown by a spectator, striking referee Armen Terzian in the head at Minnesota's own 10-yard line, creating a large forehead gash and rendering him unconscious. Terzian had to wear a bandage, later requiring 11 stitches, as he walked off the field and was replaced by substitute official Charley Musser for the final two plays.
[edit] Aftermath
The term "Hail Mary pass" was used for the first time by Roger Staubach following the game in a post-game interview. Previous to this play, a last-second desperation pass had been called several names, most notably the "Alley-Oop". As Staubach, who had been hit immediately after throwing the ball and didn't see its ending, was asked about the play and he said, "You mean [Pearson] caught the ball and ran in for the touchdown? It was just a Hail Mary pass; a very, very lucky play." Staubach told reporters that he closed his eyes, threw the ball as hard as he could, and said a Hail Mary prayer. This was among the plays by Roger Staubach that enhanced his fame and legend as noted in NFL Hall of Fame Archives. [2]
Shortly after the game concluded, Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton was informed that his father, Dallas Tarkenton, had died of a heart attack during the third quarter while watching the game on television at his Savannah, Georgia home. It has become somewhat of a myth that he suffered the heart attack after seeing the Hail Mary play.
