Mike Thomas And The Greatest Hail Mary Passes Ever

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Mike Thomas of the Jacksonville Jaguars put a bolt through the heart of every Houston Texans fan in the country Sunday with his improbably Hail Mary grab. Thomas hauled in the deflected deep bomb from David Garrard as time expired to send the Texans to their fourth defeat in their last five games.

This got us to thinking about the other last-second heaves resulting in soul-crushing defeats, and where Thomas' improbable grab ranks among the all-time greats. So, to answer that question, we're ranking the 20 greatest Hail Mary plays ever, at all levels of football. Let's get started. 

20. Washington Huskies 70-Yard Bomb

Isaiah Stanback has a CANNON. He throws it 70 yards in the air. You can guess the rest. 

19. Winner Knocks Off Tri Valley

This one is like three minutes longer than it needs to be, but it's worth it. The announcers are awfully critical of their high school team... until the unthinkable happens. 

18. James Madison Beats Villanova

The James Madison Bulldogs' goose looked cooked in this one. But then, well, you can guess what happened. 

17. ECU Shocks Tulsa

The Pirates of East Carolina get some help from what appears to be a tight end or oversized receiver. Look at the height on the jump!

16. South Grand Prarie High School Makes Their Announcer Scream Like a Girl

I'm not repeating this high school's name, but bear with the video. Once you hit the 3 minute mark, it's worth it. 

15. Michael Crabtree Makes Colt McCoy Look Stoned

It's not really a hail mary, I know. But I love poking at Longhorns fans, and Colt McCoy's face is just epic. One of the best "What just happened?" faces in football history. 

14. Baby Brett Takes Louisville's Cookie

This one features a guy who many of you might know. Chris Fowler. But, in all seriousness, after a play like this, how did we think Favre would be anything but a legend?

13. Mike Thomas Snatches a Win

The best part about this clip? Gus Johnson is announcing it. He goes from devastated to beyond euphoric in 0.5 seconds. Were it not for Gus, this would be an incredibly depressing moment for Texans fans everywhere. 

Instead, it's merely depressing. Thank you, Gus, for brightening our day. 

12. Middle Tennessee State Makes FAU Consider Dropping Back To FCS

They say the toughest loss to take is one you should have won. This clip proves it. 

11. UC Davis

The Aggies of UC Davis had quite a toss here to beat the University of Northern Colorado. But can anyone outside of California and Colorado actually tell me where these schools are? If you can, without using Google (or other search engines) I'll make this a top 10 video.

10. Benedictine Beats Somebody On a Hail Mary

All I know is their initials are NWOSU. Northwest Ohio State University? Maybe, but this is a great one. 

9. The New Kids On The Block

This one is impressive because the quarterback runs about 50 yards  back and forth before unleashing his bomb. That's stamina, although when you've got big guys chasing you, it helps. 

8. SMU Takes Out UAB

This makes it because SMU could use some good news. They're still recuperating from one of the NCAA's "Death sentences". See, USC fans? It could be worse. 

7. Kordell Stewart Puts a Stake In The Wolverines' Heart

Yes, that Kordell Stewart. Also known as Slash. You know, the one who never lived up to the hype? Yeah. He beat Michigan. That still cracks me up. 

6. 2005 Capital One Bowl

After this game, LSU head coach Nick Saban jumped to the NFL, only to return to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide two years later. Heck of a throw by Iowa quarterback Ben Tate. 

5. Brett Favre's Triumphant Return To Hailing Mary

He makes this pass and absorbs the hit. That's why the Vikings wanted him back this year. 

4. LSU Makes Kentucky Waste Gatorade

Ah, the Bluegrass Miracle. The best part of this one? The UK players celebrating on the sideline, and giving head coach Rich Brooks a Gatorade bath. Then LSU went and spoiled the party. 

3. The Music City Miracle

Bills fans are still cursing this play. I remember watching this as a kid, and jumping up and down cheering as the Titans singlehandedly killed the Bills' playoff hopes. Run, Kevin, run. 

2. The Helmet Catch

What's crazier than the catch? Eli Manning breaks a tackle before making the throw. That's what. Always wrap up the quarterback, kids. 

1. The Original

I still get chills watching this play. You know what happened. Enjoy.