Former Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson is a Hall of Fame finalist for 2021.
“How can I thank you? I’m crying, and I haven’t cried in a long time. Happy tears. I’ve been waiting for this call for so long.” Those were the words (courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) of former Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Drew Pearson upon hearing earlier this week that he had been named — courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee — a finalist for the Class of 2021.
“I know there is one more hurdle to get over, but this is the closest I’ve been,” said the 11-year pro, who retired after the 1983 season. “This is a dream come true.”
Former Cowboys’ vice president of player personnel Gil Brandt (via NFL.com) certainly has his feelings on why Pearson deserves to have a bust in Canton. He proved to be an outstanding find by the organization and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1973. The University of Tulsa product missed only three games in 11 NFL campaigns.
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He finished with 489 receptions, good for 7,822 yards (16.0 yards per catch) and 48 scores. The three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler also played in 22 postseason games for the franchise, including three Super Bowls. It added up to 68 catches, 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns.
There was the game-winning grab from 50 yards out from quarterback Roger Staubach as the Cowboys’ “Hail Mary” was answered via a 17-14 win at Minnesota in the 1975 NFC Divisional Round.
Five years later at Atlanta and once again in the divisional round, he caught 14- and 23-yard touchdown passes, respectively, from Danny White in the fourth quarter as Tom Landry’s team rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Falcons, 30-27. And of course, there was Pearson’s 50-yard touchdown grab from Clint Longley on Thanksgiving Day of 1974 to shock rival Washington.
“Thank you for the call,” said Pearson to David Baker, the Hall of Fame’s president and CEO. “You made my day, and you made my life.” And the voters in Canton would make the talented performer, as well as a plethora of Dallas Cowboys’ fans, ecstatic should he finally become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.