Question: where did the term hail mary in football come from
Answer: a December 28 , 1975 NFL playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings , when Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach ( a Roman Catholic and fan of The Godfather Part II ( 1974 ) , whose character Fredo had popularized the phrase ) said about his game - winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson , `` I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary . ''