I think everyone is mixing up religious terms with sports terms.
Mary had the “Immaculate Conception”.
Franco Harris had an Immaculate Reception.
Doug Flutie’s pass against Miami was a Hail Mary.
And Staubach to Drew Pearson was a push-off.
hahaha!!!!
Our mother Mary!
I always thought it was the Roger Staubach pass.
From the Pro Football Hall of Fame web site interview with Staubach:
“...’It was 14-10 at the time and time was running out. When I threw the ball to Pearson, I kind of under-threw it. The term “Hail Mary” was developed because after the game, I told the press I closed my eyes and said a “Hail Mary.”’
https://www.profootballhof.com/news/chat-transcript-with-roger-staubach