The term 'Hail Mary, for one' is a reference to a type of PASS in American football. A Hail Mary PASS is a long-distance PASS thrown by a quarterback at the end of a game in an attempt to score a touchdown. It is usually thrown into a crowd of players in the hope that one of the team's receivers will catch it. The term comes from the Catholic prayer of the same name, which is said to be a desperate plea for help.