On This Day Today in 1975, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach popularized the term "Hail Mary

[Roadtrip635]

I watched that game as it happened and remember seeing that orange flying into the picture from a fan in the stands. I thought it was a flag at first. That orange being tossed had to do with the Super Bowl being in the Orange bowl that year..

I was 9 and watching with my Dad and screamed when that play happened, then saw something flash across the screen. I was yelling "Was that a flag, was that a flag, did he push off?" My Dad didn't say anything, we both got real quiet for a second or two, but seemed like forever. My Dad said no flags and we both started whooping it up again. My mom came in the room wondering what the fuss was about, I was yelling we won and she just smiled and said "That's good." and walked back out.

 

[Ring6]

Merry Hail Mary Day!

I am wearing my hail mary shirt right now.

 

[Fritsch_the_cat]

That orange being thrown on the field still makes me laugh.

I thought it was a flag when it happened.

 

[Cowboys_22]

I listened to the game on AFN radio. It was just as exciting as watching it.

Great memories.

 

[Bobhaze]

I remember exactly where I was when it happened. At my aunt and uncle’s house in Lubbock, TX. When Drew caught that bomb you could have heard the yelling a block away.

 

[KJJ]

I was 9 and watching with my Dad and screamed when that play happened, then saw something flash across the screen. I was yelling "Was that a flag, was that a flag, did he push off?" My Dad didn't say anything, we both got real quiet for a second or two, but seemed like forever. My Dad said no flags and we both started whooping it up again. My mom came in the room wondering what the fuss was about, I was yelling we won and she just smiled and said "That's good." and walked back out.

I’m a year older than you. When I saw something orange flash across the screen as Pearson made the catch I held my breath thinking it was a flag for an offensive PI. Like you and your dad I got quiet for a couple of seconds and when they said nothing about a flag, then I jumped up and started to cheer. One of the great moments in Cowboys history. The only thing good about getting old is we were able to witness it as it happened.

 

[Flamma]

Had it not been just before the merger it would’ve been a conference championship. They went on to lose the Super Bowl that season. I’m sure that 1969 championship doesn’t make Vikings fans feel any better.

Your right, but it wasn't a conference championship. They do get credit for the NFL championship.

I don't really know how people felt back then, but it would be like if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, then lost to the nsfl champions. I'd still feel pretty good about the Super Bowl

 

[Cowpolk]

Not sure if I Remember right but the Cowboys rebounded from a 14 point deflect to win with Roger at QB with under 2 minuets to go in a game

 

[Doomsday101]

Nope. Some of the things that made Drew special were hands, body control, and ability to track the ball. All of which were on display during that play.

and the ability to take a massive hit, back then there was no defenseless WR and guys paid the price going over the middle.

 

[JBond]

These are the great threads! Thanks all! The old folks. Lol.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

GREATEST.PLAY.EVER.

He retired way too soon. Broke my heart when he left the nfl.

 

[plasticman]

I was watching the game while in Air Force basic training with 49 other guys. Only one other guy was from Texas. The rest of the flight (Air Force Group) was evenly split between New Yorkers, Californians, and the Boston area.

During the last couple minutes when it looked like the Cowboys were going to lose, they were hammering me pretty good, years of pent up frustration from seeing the Cowboys kick their team's butts on an annual basis. it seemed like everybody had something to say.

"How does it feel to lose? "....."The Cowboys suck!"

Then Roger Staubach heaves up a long one, Drew pauses to compensate, he then catches the ball and strolls into the endzone for the winning score.

You could have heard as pin drop. Literally, for seconds.

All of a sudden, the other Texan in the room breaks the silence with "YEAH!!!!" as the rest of my fellow basic trainees silently began exiting the Day room. I couldn't have been in a better place to celebrate that victory.

 

[eromeopolk]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Staubach knows this prayer and Our Father. If you don't believe in heroes, you have not met or know of Roger Staubach.

 

[JustChip]

The ref unfortunately died.
They never found the perpetrator.

Wow. That I did not know. Philly fans don't seem so bad now.

Nah, on second thought Philly fans are still the worst.

 

[john van brocklin]

Wow. That I did not know. Philly fans don't seem so bad now.

Nah, on second thought Philly fans are still the worst.

I was told I was wrong about that.