By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County resident and retiree Chuck Brunko of Fergus Falls was at the historic Minnesota Vikings game 50 years ago when Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Roger Staubach completed the famous Hail Mary pass to teammate Drew Pearson. There were only 24 seconds left in game, giving Dallas a stunning come-from-behind victory.

For Brunko and other residents in Otter Tail County, the game played Dec. 28, 1975, seems like just yesterday. Brunko and his late wife, Ginny, attended a game that was long remembered. Others witnessed the game on television.

Staubach launched the historic pass that Pearson caught for a 50-yard touchdown to defeat the Vikings 17-14 in a divisional round playoff game. “I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary,” noted Staubach to sports reporters after the game.

Vikings players from that era remain convinced that Pearson was not called for offensive pass interference after cornerback Nate Wright was left sprawled on the ground as Pearson made the catch.

At The Star, where the Cowboys practice in Texas, the Ring of Honor statues of Staubach and Pearson are exactly 50 yards apart, with each player’s cleats marked in cement. Inside the facility is a frame-by-frame photo display of the play from 50 years ago from Staubach taking the snap to Pearson crossing into the end zone. 

Even to this very day, any last-second pass to the end zone in a desperate attempt to score a game-winning or tying touchdown is referred to as a Hail Mary pass, originating with the pass from Staubach to Pearson in 1975.