What is a Hail Mary pass in football?
A Hail Mary pass is a very long forward pass in American football, typically made in desperation, with an exceptionally small chance of achieving a completion. Due to the difficulty of a completion with this pass, it makes reference to the Catholic “Hail Mary” prayer for divine help.
What does the phrase Hail Mary mean?
The term “Hail Mary” originated from a traditional Catholic prayer in which the person praying calls on divine intervention from the Virgin Mary. The term “Hail Mary” has now come to mean any long touchdown pass attempt that has a very low probability of being completed.
What is a Hail Mary in Catholic?
Hail Mary, Latin Ave Maria, also called Angelic Salutation, a principal prayer of the Roman Catholic Church, comprising three parts, addressed to the Virgin Mary. The prayer is recited in the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin (see rosary) and is often assigned as penance during the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).
Why is a Hail Mary pass called that?
The term became widespread after Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach (a Roman Catholic) said about his game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson in a December 28, 1975 playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, “I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary.” …
What’s the longest pass in football?
A 99-yard pass play is the longest play involving a forward pass that is possible in an American football game. It gains 99 yards and scores a touchdown for the offensive team. The play has occurred thirteen times in NFL history, most recently by Eli Manning and Victor Cruz.
Why do they call it Hail Mary pass?
In 1975, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach popularized the term “Hail Mary” to describe his miracle, winning touchdown pass to fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson in a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.