Alan Faneca, Tom Flores, Calvin Johnson, John Lynch, Peyton Manning, Bill Nunn and Charles Woodson are the seven of the eight new football heroes inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
One of those eight legends holds a special place in the city of Dallas and the Dallas Cowboys organization heart. That legend and now Hall of Famer is former wide receiver Drew Pearson. Pearson was born Jan. 21,1951 in South River, New Jersey. He attended the University of Tulsa and played four games at quarterback his sophomore year before playing wide receiver.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson (88) scores against the Washington Redskins during the NFC Championship game at RFK Stadium. Jeris White (45) falls to the ground.
Playing for a run-oriented team at Tulsa, but still having stellar wide receiver numbers, he was rewarded with the university’s President’s Award as the team’s “best spirited and most unselfish” member. Pearson was inducted into the Tulsa Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985.
In 1973 his professional career began. He was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Dallas Cowboys. All the New Jersey native needed was a chance and he took full advantage of it earning career records of 489 receptions and 7,822 receiving yards, along with 189 rushing yards, 155 yards returning kickoffs, and 50 touchdowns (48 receiving and two fumble recoveries).
Pearson was also recognized for his achievements by being named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. He also helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XII in 1978. In addition, Pearson also scored a touchdown in Super Bowl X. His career was shortened because of a 1984 car accident that killed his brother and left him with internal injuries that forced him to retire.
Although his career was short, he achieved a lot, but out of all the accolades he needed one more to cap off his career and that is the NFL Hall of Fame. After years of disappointing snubs to make the ballot and even a viral video of Pearson slamming his hat with disappointment after finding out he didn’t make it, finally 33 years later on Feb. 6 he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame with an impressive class who will receive their awards Aug. 8.
Pearson wore the number 88 that is now a tradition of great receivers for the Cowboys from Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant, and now CeeDee Lamb, who had an amazing rookie season this year. Not only will number 88 for the Cowboys live forever, now in Canton, Ohio the name Drew Pearson will live forever too.
