Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Addresses AISD Student-Athletes and Esports Athletes

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Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney poses with Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson. Dr. Goffney is pictured with Pearson’s Super Bowl 12 ring and his Hall of Fame ring.

Pro Football Hall of Famer wide receiver Drew Pearson addressed Aldine ISD student-athletes and Esports athletes at Eisenhower High School on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Pearson’s visit to Aldine ISD was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Heart of a Hall of Famer program and was sponsored by Extreme Sports.

Pearson, one of the most successful and productive wide receivers in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, shared his story of how he went from an undrafted free agent to a future Hall of Famer.

Through hard work, determination, and drive, Pearson made the Cowboys as a rookie in 1973 and spent 11 years with Dallas. When he retired in 1983, he left as the team’s all-time leading receiver (currently ranked 7^th all-time) with 489 receptions for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdown catches. He also threw three TD passes during his career with the Cowboys.

Pearson shared with the audience how he used his intelligence and drive to catch the attention of head coach Tom Landry in training camp during his rookie season.

“Coach Landry looked for guys with character and guys who were smart,” Pearson said. “I worked hard every day to catch his attention, and all that hard work paid off when I made the team as a rookie.”

A group of Aldine ISD varsity football players poses with Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson.

The University of Tulsa graduate stressed to the students that they need to take their education seriously.

“You need your education,” he said. “Intelligence is so important to your success.”

Pearson challenged the student-athletes to find something they love doing and excel at that endeavor.

“You gotta be passionate. I loved to play football. Football was my passion,” Pearson said. “If you don’t love it, you won’t succeed at it.”

A student asked him if he remembered his ah-ha moment.

“When I made the Dallas Cowboys,” Pearson said. “It meant I did the right things to make the Cowboys. Not being drafted motivated me to prove I belonged in the NFL.”

Pearson added that no matter how many times life may knock you down, you must always get up, dust yourself off, and carry on with life.

“Let me tell you, you all are going to face adversity,” he said. “You have to learn from challenges and learn from your adversity. Each time I got tackled, I got up, dusted myself off, and got back in the huddle ready for the next play.”

A group of Aldine ISD female student-athletes poses with Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson.

Pearson shared with the audience a story about how he struggled in high school in a Shakespearian literature class. His teacher, Gracie Dunn, told him he would never pass her class, graduate from high school or go to college.

When Pearson graduated from the University of Tulsa, he returned to his high school in New Jersey to show his college diploma to Miss Dunn.

“I showed her my college diploma and said, ‘how do you like me now?’ Find your Miss Gracie Dunn and show people you can do what they said you can’t.”

Pearson played with some of the greatest leaders in the history of the NFL in quarterback Roger Staubach, running back Tony Dorsett, defensive stalwarts Randy White (all three are in the Hall of Fame as well), and Ed “Too Tall” Jones. He said while they were all great players, they were also great leaders.

“You gotta have good leadership to be successful,” Pearson said. “Coach Landry was a great leader. He earned our respect. He knew what a leader was. Coach Landry selected me as a team captain five times during my career with the Cowboys. That was important to me.”

He also cherished his relationship with Staubach. The two of them teamed up for one of the most historical plays in NFL history, the Hail Mary throw and catch to beat the Minnesota Vikings in a playoff game. With just 22 seconds left in the game, Staubach and Pearson teamed up for a 50-yard touchdown pass that won the game for the Cowboys and propelled them to Super Bowl 10.

Two Aldine ISD Esports athletes present Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson.

“Roger was a tremendous leader,” Pearson said. “I learned a lot from him. He taught me how to be a professional, how to talk to the media. I have a ton of respect for Roger.”

Although he had to wait 38 years to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pearson said he never doubted he would one day wear a Gold jacket and have his bust in the Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. That dream came true last August when Pearson was named to the Hall of Fame Class of 2021. He is now one of 354 Hall of Famers.

“I never gave up because of my faith,” he said. “The Good Lord has a plan for all of us. I waited 38 years to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I kept the faith, and it paid off.”

Following Pearson’s remarks, Linda Flores-Olson, Director of the Aldine Education Foundation (AEF), announced that the Hall of Fame and Extreme Sports made a $2,500 donation to AEF.