What is a Hail Mary Pass in Football

A Hail Mary pass is a long, desperate forward pass thrown near the end of a game with little chance of success, typically used as a last-ditch effort to score a touchdown.

A Hail Mary pass is a long forward pass thrown in desperation near the end of a game, with a low probability of success. The offense uses it when time is nearly expired and they are trailing — with no other realistic option to score. The term comes from the Catholic prayer "Hail Mary," invoked in desperate circumstances, and entered football vocabulary in 1975.

The Origin of the Term

The phrase "Hail Mary" in football was popularized by Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys after he threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson against the Minnesota Vikings in the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff game. Staubach told reporters afterward: "I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary." The name stuck and became football's most recognizable phrase.

How a Hail Mary Works

A Hail Mary play typically involves:

1. The offense lines up with multiple wide receivers
2. The quarterback drops back and launches a high, arcing deep pass toward the end zone
3. Multiple receivers and defenders converge on the ball
4. Receivers may attempt to tip the ball to a teammate if they can't catch it cleanly

The defense typically puts extra defenders in the end zone and tries to knock the ball down or intercept it.

When Hail Marys Succeed

Success rates for Hail Mary plays are very low — estimates range from 5–15% at the NFL level. The pass must travel 40–70 yards through the air while the clock expires, and the receiver must catch it in a crowd of defenders.

Despite low odds, Hail Mary touchdowns are among the most dramatic moments in football history.

Famous Hail Mary Plays

• Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson (1975) — Coined the term
• Doug Flutie to Gerard Phelan (1984) — Boston College's 48-yard TD to beat Miami with no time left
• Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers (2015) — 61-yard TD against the Detroit Lions
• Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook (1994) — Colorado's improbable 73-yard TD against Michigan

The "Prayer" Pass vs. Hail Mary

In college football, Hail Mary attempts are more common due to no down-by-contact rule on fumbles and slightly different end zone depth. The basic principle is identical.