The NFL community is mourning Barry Pearson, the former Chiefs and Steelers receiver who died last week at 76.
Kansas City joined in the tributes after a report from Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, which cited material from Chris Ward of steelersnow.com, noted Pearson’s death. Pearson spent two seasons with Pittsburgh and three more with Kansas City after the Steelers signed him in 1972 following his standout career at Northwestern. He also had been offered a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy.
Pearson’s name will always be tied to one of the league’s most famous moments: the 1972 “Immaculate Reception” game against the then-Oakland Raiders. It was Pearson’s first game, and he brought the play in to Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
The pass then bounced to Pittsburgh running back Franco Harris after it caromed off Raiders safety Jack Tatum, with Harris barely able to secure the catch. Even now, some who watched it maintain the ball hit the ground, with replay not detailed enough to settle the debate.
Pearson later said Steelers coach Chuck Noll told him the play was called for him because of his steady hands. He was the first read before the play broke down and Bradshaw eventually looked to running back Frenchy Fuqua. Pearson also caught the winning touchdown against Washington on Monday Night Football in 1973.
After being traded to Kansas City, Pearson played for the Chiefs from 1974 through 1976. His best season came in 1975, when he caught 37 passes for 608 yards and three touchdowns from Len Dawson, averaging 16.9 yards per catch. In all, he finished his Chiefs career with 36 catches for 995 yards and four touchdowns, with a 15.8 yards-per-catch average.
Pearson later returned to football in 1979 as a receivers coach at Oklahoma, working under Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson. He was considered extremely successful there, to the point that he was interviewed by the Detroit Lions.
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