SR121

A Senate Resolution commemorating the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction of Drew Pearson.

Whereas, On February 6, 2021 it was announced that New Jersey native and retired Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021; and

Whereas, Pearson grew up in South River where he played football as a wide receiver and quarterback at South River High School; and

Whereas, Pearson helped lead the South River Rams to an undefeated season in 1966 and 1968, and was later offered a scholarship by the University of Tulsa, where he was awarded the University’s President’s Award as the team’s “best spirited and most unselfish” member; and

Whereas, The Dallas Cowboys signed Pearson as a free agent in 1973, where he played for 11 seasons as a wide receiver accumulating an impressive record of 489 receptions, 7,822 receiving yards, and 50 touchdowns; and

Whereas, As a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Pearson had two 1,000- yard seasons, played in three Pro Bowls, three Super Bowls, including winning Super Bowl XII in 1977, led the National Football League (NFL) in receptions with 58 catches in 1976, and led the NFL in receiving yards with 870 yards in 1977; and

Whereas, Pearson is widely known for catching the NFL’s original “Hail Mary” pass during a playoff game in 1975 after catching a long pass from quarterback Roger Staubach, a play that was later named among the Top 75 Plays in NFL history by NFL films; and

Whereas, After retiring from the Dallas Cowboys, Pearson began a career as a sports broadcaster, providing commentary for a number of television networks and radio shows, and co-hosting shows such as Cowboys Weekly and the Dallas Cowboys Post Game Show; and

Whereas, Over the years, Pearson has been inducted into numerous halls of fame and societies: Tulsa University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985; New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame in 2001; Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2008; Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2011; Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2011; and most recently, the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame; now, therefore

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House commemorates and recognizes the outstanding career of Drew Pearson and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and to Drew Pearson.

STATEMENT

This resolution commemorates the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction of Drew Pearson. A New Jersey native, Pearson grew up in South River where he attended South River High School. Pearson played football for the South River Rams as a wide receiver and quarterback, and helped lead the Rams to undefeated seasons in 1966 and 1968. Pearson was offered a football scholarship to attend Tulsa University, where he spent time as a wide receiver and was awarded the University’s President’s Award as the team’s “best spirited and most unselfish” member.

Pearson was drafted as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 1973 where he remained for 11 seasons until he retired. During his time with the Cowboys Pearson had two 1000-yard seasons, played in three Pro Bowls, and three Super Bowls. Pearson led the National Football League (NFL) in receptions with 58 catches in 1976, and receiving yards in with 870 yards in 1977. Pearson is credited with participating in the NFL’s original “Hail Mary” pass when he caught a pass thrown by quarterback Roger Staubach during a playoff game in 1975, a play later named among the Top 75 Plays in NFL History by NFL films. Upon retiring from pro-football, Pearson began working as a sports broadcaster, co-hosting programs such as the Dallas Cowboys Post Game Show, and providing commentary for a number of shows on various television and radio networks.

Pearson has been inducted in numerous halls of fame and societies, including Tulsa University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985; New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame in 2001; Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2008; Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2011; and the prestigious Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2011. On February 6, 2021 it was announced that Pearson would be inducted the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021.