What is a Hail Mary pass in football? A Hail Mary is a long pass thrown into or near the end zone with only a small chance of completion, typically attempted at the end of game situations when a team is trailing and needs a last second score.
The phrase “Hail Mary” evokes images of desperation, a final, fervent hope against overwhelming odds. In American football, this perfectly encapsulates the essence of a particular type of offensive maneuver. It’s a play born of necessity, a risky gamble with the potential for legendary status. But where did this evocative terminology come from? Why do we associate a prayer with a football play? Let’s delve into the fascinating origin of the Hail Mary in football.
The Birth of a Football Phrase
The term “Hail Mary” for a long, desperate pass in football isn’t as old as the sport itself, but it has a distinct and well-documented beginning. The credit for popularizing the phrase is widely given to Terry Bradshaw, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bradshaw famously used the term to describe a risky throw he made during a pivotal playoff game on December 23, 1972, against the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers were trailing 7-6 with less than a minute left in the game and had the ball on their own 40-yard line. Bradshaw launched a long pass downfield, aiming for his receiver Lynn Swann. The ball seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before Swann made an improbable catch for a touchdown, securing a dramatic 13-7 victory for the Steelers.
After the game, in the jubilant post-game interviews, Bradshaw was asked about the play. He described it as a “Hail Mary,” explaining that he just threw it up there and hoped for the best, essentially saying a prayer for it to work. He said, “I just threw it and said, ‘Hail Mary, full of grace.'” This reference to the Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary – the “Hail Mary” – perfectly captured the desperate, faith-based nature of the play.
The Prayer Connection
The full Catholic prayer begins, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…” This invocation is traditionally said for protection and guidance, often in times of need or distress. Bradshaw’s impromptu use of this religious phrase resonated deeply with the public and the media. It was a fitting analogy for a play that required divine intervention as much as athletic skill. The unlikely success of the pass, coupled with Bradshaw’s spiritual description, cemented the term in football vernacular.
What Makes a Play a Hail Mary?
Not every long pass is a Hail Mary. Several key elements define this specific type of play:
- Situation: It’s almost exclusively an end of game situation. Time is running out, and the team needs a score to tie or win.
- Distance: The pass is typically thrown from a significant distance, often near midfield or even from the team’s own territory, requiring a long pass.
- Target: The objective is to get the ball into the end zone, often with multiple receivers bunched up, hoping one can make an improbable catch.
- Risk Factor: It’s a desperation play. The odds of completion are low, and an interception could end the game. It’s a risky throw with a low probability of unlikely success.
- Strategic Purpose: It’s an offensive strategy that prioritizes a potential game-winning attempt over safer, shorter plays.
The Mechanics of the Hail Mary
Executing a Hail Mary involves more than just a strong arm. It requires precise timing, an understanding of the game situation, and a bit of luck.
Player Roles
- Quarterback: Must have the arm strength to throw the ball 50-70 yards in the air. They also need to read the defense and find a pocket to throw from, even under immense pressure.
- Receivers: Need to be skilled at tracking the ball, out-jumping defenders, and making contested catches. Often, multiple receivers are sent deep to create mismatches and draw defensive attention.
- Offensive Line: Their primary job is to give the quarterback enough time to throw. This often means holding blocks longer than usual, as the receivers take time to get downfield.
- Defense: The defense knows a long pass is coming and will typically play deep coverage, often in a prevent defense, trying to knock the ball down or intercept it.
The Throw
The quarterback typically drops back, looking for a receiver. Because the receivers are so far downfield, the pass needs to have a high arc to give them a chance to get under it and to make it difficult for defenders to intercept. It’s a risky throw because the ball is in the air for a long time, giving defensive players ample opportunity to break it up or catch it themselves. The goal is to place the ball where only your receiver can get it, a feat that often feels like a prayer in football.
The Psychological Element
The Hail Mary is also a highly psychological play.
- For the Offense: It injects a surge of hope and adrenaline. The entire team, and the fans, are united in this final, desperate effort.
- For the Defense: It can be frustrating. They’ve played solid defense for most of the game, and now they have to defend a play where one mistake can nullify all their previous efforts.
Historical Precedents: Was Bradshaw the First?
While Terry Bradshaw is credited with popularizing the term “Hail Mary,” the concept of throwing a long, desperate pass at the end of a game predates his famous call. Football history is replete with instances of teams trying similar plays to achieve a game-winning attempt.
Early Examples of Desperate Throws
Even before the 1970s, teams would attempt similar throws. These were often referred to simply as “long bombs” or “desperation passes.” The difference with Bradshaw’s call was the religious connotation and the cultural impact it had.
One notable precursor, often cited, is the “Miracle at Michigan” in 1968. In a game between Michigan State and Michigan, Michigan State quarterback Chuck Long threw a long pass to wide receiver Kirk Gibson as time expired. The pass was heavily contested, and Gibson made an improbable catch in the end zone to tie the game. While this play didn’t have the “Hail Mary” moniker at the time, it embodied the spirit of the play.
Another frequently mentioned game is the 1958 NFL Championship between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants, often called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” While not a single Hail Mary, the game featured several dramatic, long passes and was a back-and-forth affair that went into overtime, showcasing the high stakes of late-game situations.
The Impact of Bradshaw’s Call
Bradshaw’s “Hail Mary” play in 1972, however, was so dramatic and the naming so perfect that it caught fire. The Steelers’ victory was significant, and the visual of Bradshaw’s throw, followed by the improbable catch, was etched into the minds of football fans. The media latched onto the term, and it quickly became the universally accepted way to describe such a play.
The Anatomy of a “Hail Mary” Play
Let’s break down a typical Hail Mary scenario:
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Situation | Last few seconds on the clock, team trailing by 3-8 points, out of timeouts, and far from the opponent’s end zone. |
| Play Call | The offensive coach signals for a desperation play. The quarterback is instructed to throw a long pass into the end zone. |
| Formation | The offense typically spreads out to give receivers space and try to isolate defenders. Multiple receivers often go deep. |
| The Throw | The quarterback drops back, often under pressure, and launches a risky throw with maximum power, aiming for the end zone. The prayer in football. |
| The Coverage | The defense plays a deep zone or man-to-man coverage, trying to prevent the completion. They anticipate the long pass. |
| The Catch | Receivers and defenders leap for the ball. The goal is an improbable catch by the offense, a last second score. |
| The Outcome | Ideally, a touchdown for the offense. Alternatively, an incomplete pass, an interception, or a penalty. It’s a gamble for unlikely success. |
Why it’s a Desperation Play
A Hail Mary is the ultimate desperation play. When a team has exhausted all other options and time is about to expire, this is their last resort. It’s a gamble because:
- Low Probability of Success: The chances of a touchdown are slim. It requires perfect execution from the offense and often a breakdown in the defense.
- Risk of Interception: A tipped pass or a misread by the quarterback can easily result in an interception, which could lead to a defensive score or simply end the game with the opponent in possession.
- No Second Chances: Unlike shorter plays, a Hail Mary is a single, high-stakes event with no opportunity to recover from a mistake within the same possession.
The Game-Winning Attempt
Despite the low odds, the Hail Mary is often a game-winning attempt. A successful Hail Mary can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, creating legendary moments in sports history. The sheer possibility of such a dramatic turnaround is what makes fans hold their breath and what elevates the play from mere athletics to something more akin to theatre.
Famous Hail Marys in Football History
Since Bradshaw’s famous call, there have been numerous iconic Hail Mary plays across different levels of football. These moments are replayed and discussed for years, becoming part of the sport’s rich tapestry.
NFL Examples
- Doug Flutie to Gerard Phelan (1984): While this happened in college, it’s often mentioned as a precursor to the modern “Hail Mary” understanding. Flutie, playing for Boston College, threw a dramatic long pass to Phelan for a last second score against Miami. The game itself was nicknamed the “Miracle in the Orange Bowl,” and the play’s description often contained elements of the Hail Mary.
- Kordell Stewart to Michael Timpson (1994): Stewart, known as “Slash,” threw a risky throw that turned into an improbable catch by Timpson for the winning touchdown against the Washington Redskins.
- David Tyree’s Helmet Catch (2008 Super Bowl XLII): While not a traditional end-zone Hail Mary, Eli Manning’s desperate throw to Tyree, who famously pinned the ball to his helmet, was a crucial part of the New York Giants’ upset victory over the undefeated New England Patriots. It embodied the spirit of a prayer in football, a play that defied all logic.
College Football Instances
College football has a particularly rich history of dramatic Hail Mary plays, often due to the passion and fanatical followings.
- The “Hook and Ladder” to “Hook and Ladder, Ladder” (1981): Cal vs. Stanford. This was a multi-lateral play that involved several players and ended with a last second score by Cal, a truly improbable series of events.
- Ryan Leaf to Ricky Williams (1997): Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf threw a long pass to Ricky Williams for a touchdown against Arizona State, securing a victory. Leaf’s risky throw was a classic example of the play.
- Jared Lorenzen to C.J. Jones (2004): Kentucky’s “Hefty Lefty” Jared Lorenzen, known for his unconventional style, threw a long pass that was tipped and then caught by Jones for a game-winning attempt against LSU.
These plays, and many others like them, showcase the enduring appeal of the Hail Mary. They are moments where skill, courage, and a touch of destiny converge to create unforgettable sporting drama.
The Future of the Hail Mary
As football evolves, will the Hail Mary remain a staple?
- Defensive Strategies: Defenses are constantly innovating. As offenses become more sophisticated, defenses will undoubtedly develop counter-strategies to thwart these last-gasp efforts.
- Offensive Innovation: Offenses will also continue to evolve. While the Hail Mary is an offensive strategy with a defined purpose, coaches might devise variations or entirely new types of desperation plays.
- The Human Element: Ultimately, football is a human game. The unpredictable nature of athletic performance and the sheer will to win will always lend themselves to moments where a risky throw and an improbable catch can decide the outcome. The emotional resonance of a prayer in football will likely ensure the Hail Mary’s continued relevance.
The term “Hail Mary” has transcended sports. It’s now a common idiom used in everyday language to describe any desperate, last-ditch effort to achieve a goal. This speaks to the power of Bradshaw’s original description and the universal appeal of hope in the face of adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who invented the Hail Mary pass?
A1: While the concept of a long, desperate pass existed before, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is widely credited with popularizing the term “Hail Mary” in 1972 after a game-winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
Q2: Why is it called a “Hail Mary”?
A2: Terry Bradshaw described his game-winning risky throw as a “Hail Mary” because he felt he was just throwing it up and praying for it to work, likening it to a prayer for divine intervention. The name comes from the Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary.
Q3: What are the conditions for a Hail Mary play?
A3: A Hail Mary is typically an end of game situation where a team needs a score, often with very little time left on the clock and far from the opponent’s end zone. It’s a desperation play involving a long pass with a low chance of unlikely success.
Q4: Is a Hail Mary always successful?
A4: No, a Hail Mary is a risky throw with a very low probability of completion. While it can result in a last second score or a game-winning attempt, it often ends with an incomplete pass or an interception.
Q5: Can a Hail Mary be called at any time during a game?
A5: While technically a team could call a long pass at any time, the term “Hail Mary” specifically refers to a play used in desperation play situations, almost exclusively at the end of game.
Q6: Are there specific rules for a Hail Mary?
A6: No, there are no special rules for a Hail Mary. It is a standard play within the rules of football, but its execution and context make it unique. It’s the context of desperation that defines it, not specific rules.
Q7: What is the most famous Hail Mary pass?
A7: While subjective, Terry Bradshaw’s pass in the 1972 playoff game is the origin of the term. Other famous plays that embody the spirit include Doug Flutie’s pass in 1984 and David Tyree’s “helmet catch” in Super Bowl XLII. These plays often involve an improbable catch.
Q8: What’s the difference between a Hail Mary and a bomb?
A8: “Bomb” is a more general term for a very long pass. A Hail Mary is a specific type of bomb, characterized by its extreme desperation, context, and low probability of unlikely success, often serving as a prayer in football.
Q9: Why do teams attempt such a risky throw?
A9: Teams attempt a Hail Mary because it represents the only remaining chance for a last second score or a game-winning attempt when time is about to expire and they are trailing. It’s a calculated gamble on a minuscule chance of a positive outcome.
Q10: How do receivers prepare for a Hail Mary?
A10: Receivers practice tracking the ball in the air, jumping for contested passes, and making improbable catches under pressure. They also learn to position themselves in the end zone to create opportunities amidst multiple defenders. It’s a key part of an offensive strategy for late-game scenarios.