Drew Pearson’s long wait to join his former Dallas Cowboys teammates in the Pro Football Hall of Fame may soon over. Pearson was named as the only senior nominee to the Class of 2021 today, which means there’s little chance that the legendary wide receiver won’t ultimately be selected.
The man who started the legacy of #88 for the Cowboys, Pearson was a Super Bowl Champion in Dallas and made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1970s. He ranks in the team’s top-five for receptions and receiving yards, and is 7th all-time in touchdown catches.
Congrats to former Cowboys WR Drew Pearson and former Raiders coach Tom Flores for being the senior and coach nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They'll be voted on the day before the Super Bowl by the selection committee. Usually, the committee rubber stamps the nominees
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) August 18, 2020
I know it is a longer wait than he wanted or we anticipated, but former Cowboys WR Drew Pearson has been selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame senior committee as the only senior nominee for the Class of 2021. Congrats @88DrewPearson
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) August 18, 2020
As McClain’s tweet said, the “rubber stamp” should be on this nomination and won’t be met with any resistance. Pearson has long been considered one of the biggest snubs from the Hall of Fame, especially given how many of the other Dallas greats from the 70s and other NFL players from that All-Decade team have been enshrined.
Now Pearson, who has been very vocal about his disappointment on not being inducted, should finally get to have his day.
Drew’s name has certainly been on our minds this year as his fabled jersey number was given to rookie WR CeeDee Lamb. From Michael Irvin to Dez Bryant (and that brief, interesting stop with Antonio Bryant in between) and now Lamb, the #88 has stood for a player having high expectations as a franchise receiver.
That all began with the work Drew Pearson put in during his time in Dallas. Many have clamored for Pearson to get his rightful spot in the Hall of Fame and it appears to finally be happening.
Congratulations to one of our all-time greats on this long-overdue honor!