1990's, Pearson held just about every receiving record the Cowboys kept. Now, he ranks second or third in most categories.
But even more than his numbers, Pearson was always clutch.
Think about it. Quickly, name some of the most memorable plays in Cowboys history. A lot of them involve Pearson.
Of course, the first one is the Hail Mary. Who could forget Pearson's game-winning touchdown catch in the 1975 playoffs against Minnesota? That play has ranked No. 1 on several all-time lists in Cowboys history. What is sometimes forgotten is that Pearson made another clutch grab, two plays before the touchdown catch, just to get the ball to midfield.
After that, it's hard to compare some of the other great plays, but Pearson tried.
We all remember or have at least heard about "The Clint Longley Game." You know, the Thanksgiving Day game against Washington in 1973 when Roger Staubach went out with a concussion when some no-name quarterback came in and heaved a game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute to beat the hated Redskins.
Yeah, that was Pearson who caught the pass. But it's just the Longley Game, not Longley-to-Pearson or anything like that.
Then in the 1980 playoffs, the Cowboys were all but finished in a game at Atlanta. Trailing 27-16 with no more than six minutes to play, Danny White and the Cowboys rallied for the win, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes to, of course, Drew Pearson.
He even caught a game-clinching touchdown pass against the Rams in the 1973 playoffs. For some reason, this 83-yard touchdown to advance the club to the next round gets overlooked.
But there's four memorable plays right there. This is a franchise that celebrates its history. We see T-shirts saying "Got Five?" on the front, referring to the five Super Bowl rings.
Well, if we're going to hang onto the past, why not celebrate it as much as possible.
Sure, there is a fine line between inducting deserving players and yet keeping it exclusive.
But come on, Drew Pearson? He is the Dallas Cowboys.
Plain and simple, his name needs to be in the Ring of Honor.
And then, and only then, could Pearson be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame. Right now, it's too easy for HOF voters to overlook Pearson.
Especially since he's been overlooked by his own franchise for so long.
