Drew Pearson, former All Pro receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, signing copies of Remembering Texas Stadium
* 5/9/09 Noon at Barnes & Noble – North MacArthur Blvd. Irving, TX.
Drew Pearson (born January 12, 1951 in South River, New Jersey) is a sportscaster and former American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
Early Football Years
Pearson began his football career at South River High School where he succeeded Joe Theismann as quarterback. He attended the University of Tulsa where he caught 33 passes as a flanker for a run-oriented team. There he received the university’s President’s Award as the team’s “best spirited and most unselfish” member. Pearson graduated from Tulsa in 1972.
Professional Career
In 1973, Pearson was selected as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, where he rose to become one of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers, 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 named one of the Top 20 Pro Football All-Time Wide Receivers, he was also recognized for his achievements by being named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team.
Pearson was named All-Pro three times (1974, 1976-77) All-NFC in 1975 and second Team All-NFC in 1978. In addition, Pearson was a Pro Bowler in 1974, 1976 and 1977. Pearson led the National Football Conference (NFC) in pass receptions in 1976 with 58. He served as offensive captain for the Cowboys in 1977, 1978, 1982 and 1983.
Pearson helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XII in 1978. He also scored a touchdown in Super Bowl X.
In 1980, the Cowboys selected Pearson as their nominee for NFL Man of the Year. Pearson is known around the NFL as “Mr. Clutch” for his numerous clutch catches in game-winning situations, especially the “Hail Mary” reception from Roger Staubach that sealed the victory in a 1975 playoff game, one of the most famous plays in NFL history. Caught the game-sealing touchdown in 1973 playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. Caught the game-winning touchdown pass from reserve quarterback Clint Longley in the 1974 Thanksgiving game against the Washington Redskins. All three of those plays were named among the Top 75 plays in NFL history by NFL Films in 1994. All were included on a video/DVD by that name. In addition in the 1980 playoff game at Atlanta, Pearson’s clutch receptions helped win that game in a comeback by the Cowboys.
After The NFL
* Since his retirement in 1983, Pearson has worked extensively as a sports broadcaster for such networks as CBS and HBO; he previously hosted the Dallas Cowboys post-game show.
* He is also the CEO of Drew Pearson Companies, a manufacturer of licensed headwear since 1985.
* Was the General Manager of the NY/NJ Hitmen during the only season of the XFL. Midway through the season, he began attending games from the sideline and talking with announcers, something head coach Rusty Tillman refused to do.
* Drew Pearson is exclusively represented by PPI Marketing for speaking engagements and appearances. Pearson currently lives in Plano, Texas.
* Received the NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award in 2005 for his post-NFL career success.
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