In 1980, he surpassed Bob Hayes' club mark in receptions and was selected by the Cowboys as their nominee for NFL Man of the Year.

In the 1981 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, Pearson almost rendered "The Catch" irrelevant when, in the waning moments of the game, he caught a long pass from Danny White that might’ve gone for a touchdown and won the game for the Cowboys had 49ers cornerback Eric Wright not made a one-handed horse-collar tackle, stopping him just outside field-goal range (White fumbled on the next play, thus preserving victory for the 49ers and putting them in Super Bowl XVI).

In 1982, he delivered a key downfield block during Tony Dorsett's NFL record 99-yard touchdown run.

On March 22, 1984, at 1:30 a.m. Drew fell asleep while driving, and crashed his car against a parked tractor-trailer.

Clutch" for his numerous clutch catches in game-winning situations, especially the Hail Mary reception from Roger Staubach that sealed the victory over the Vikings in a 1975 playoff game, one of the most infamous plays, made possible by a well timed push against Nate Wright, in NFL history.

Pearson figured prominently in a fourth play on that list, throwing the final block to clear Tony Dorsett's path to the end zone on his 99-yard touchdown run in 1983.

Pearson, Charles Haley and Larry Allen were inducted during the half-time show of the Cowboys-Seahawks game on November 6, 2011.

[8] The Professional Football Researchers Association named Pearson to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2010.

[10] On February 6, 2021, Pearson was named to the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class[11] and his bust was sculpted by Scott Myers.

Amidst boos from the Eagles fans in attendance, he announced Chidobe Awuzie as the 60th pick for the Cowboys.

[12][13] Pearson is married to Marsha, a daughter of Harlem Globetrotters star Marques Haynes.