10 teams that could have interest, and how much cash he could get. The ensuing extra point by kicker Ray Wersching gave the 49ers a 2827 lead. But just then I saw Dwight getting away from the coverage.". [17], In the 1981 NFC Championship game, on January 10, 1982, against the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers trailed 2721 with 58 seconds to play. San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark is known for making one of the most iconic catches during the 1981 NFC Championship game. [16][31], Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011. [36] He was the father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Peter Harrold. Because Solomon, the first option, was covered, Montana was supposed to look to Clark as his second option. In October 2018, the 49ers unveiled a statue outside of Levis Stadium featuring Clark making his famous catch. Their record improved, as did Montana and Clark, in 1980, going 6-10. On Monday night, he was in Tampa to see Clemson, his alma mater, win the college football national championship in thrilling fashion. San Francisco wide receiver Dwight Clark made a leaping grab in the back of the end zone to complete a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana, enabling the 49ers to defeat the Cowboys, 28-27. In a moving tribute to Clark's legacy, NFL Network's Michael Silver wrote last September that the former player and executive "carried an aura of awesomeness into his post-football existence: Handsome, charming and perpetually cheerful, the man lit up a room without acting as though he owned it. The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals shared a moment of support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before the teams' Week 18 matchup at Levi's Stadium. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In fact, beginning in 1986, the Cowboys went on to suffer losing seasons for the remainder of the eighties, leading to head coach Tom Landry being fired by new owner Jerry Jones after the 1988 season. He caught 80 passes including eight touchdowns in 1980 from quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana. On radio, it was Jack Buck and Pat Summerall doing the play-by-play and color respectively. Dwight Clark! Clark disputes that assertion, claiming that it was a backup plan that they practiced many times. In 1988, he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame. After "The Catch", the 49ers went on to win Super Bowl XVI 2621 over the Cincinnati Bengals. In the second quarter, Clark caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Montana that gave the 49ers a 14-10 lead. Four plays later, White passed 21 yards to tight end Doug Cosbie for a touchdown and a 27-21 Cowboys lead in the fourth quarter. In 2002, the NFL ran a series of advertisements promoting the playoffs, using famous plays as a uniting theme. Lined up in the slot on the right side in the first quarter, 49ers receiver Freddie Solomon took off for the flag as Clark, lined up wide right, curled inside. (Long pause for crowd reaction) It's a madhouse at Candlestick!". "[18], Clark died of the disease on June 4, 2018. After his initial move, Clark's pattern called for him to cut diagonally left across the end zone, stop, and immediately reverse his path, running right along the back boundary of the end zone. (Original Caption) San Francisco 49ers Dwight Clark (87, WR), goes up in the air in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown pass from Qb Joe Montana to set up the PAT which beat the Dallas . [37] Clark had a close friendship with former 49ers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.[2] DeBartolo sent Clark to Japan in 2017 to bring back a three-month supply of the drug Radicava before it became available in the United States. NFL analyst Brian Baldinger explained what he loved about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's first NFL start and how the offense gelled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 15 matchup vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Two weeks later, they beat Cincinnati to win their first Super Bowl title and launch an incomparable stretch of five championships in 14 seasons. To honor his contribution to 49ers, the club retired his #87 in 1988. Montana, looking looking throwing in the end zone. It also set in motion a series of events that established the Niners as one of the NFL's dominant franchises for the better part of the two decades that followed. [20], Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:20, National Football League Players Association, "49er great Dwight Clark receiver who made The Catch dies at 61", "Dwight Clark, San Francisco 49ers receiver who made 'The Catch,' dies at 61", "One of Charlotte's greatest pro athletes has died", "Dwight Clark, 49ers receiver of The Catch, dead at 61", "Former Clemson great Dwight Clark passes", "Dwight Clark of Clemson football, 49ers fame dies from ALS", "Dwight Clark, 61, Dies; Made a Touchdown Catch for the Ages", "Illness robbed us of Dwight Clark, but not of his spirit", "49ers flashback: 1979 team was dreadful despite Walsh, Montana, O.J. With under a minute remaining and facing 3rd-and-3 from the Dallas 6-yard line, Montana rolled right, pump-faked, then fired to Clark, who made a leaping grab in the back of the end zone. Today, I lost my little brother and one of my best friends. After nine seasons with the 49ers, Clark retired following the 1987 season. Though the ball looked like it was heading out of bounds, Clark made a successful leaping grab and tied the game. After San Francisco forced Dallas to punt on the opening drive, quarterback Joe Montana completed a 17-yard pass to Charle Young and a 24-yarder to Lenvil Elliott before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon. Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark passed away Monday after his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Reddit . Thats because Clarks discovery came about by accident. 1 college football recruit. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Dwight will always carry a special place in our hearts and his legacy will live on as we continue to battle this terrible disease.". I may sit and think about that moment couple of times a year, and how awesome it was to be a part of that play and to be a part of the 49ers in the '80s. Actor Don Cheadle demonstrated the height of Clark's catch by standing on a stepladder in the end zone. Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers' first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. Weeks later, the 49ers drafted Clark in the 10th of 12 rounds, pairing him with their third-round quarterback from Notre Dame. But Snipes? On Sunday, Clark celebrated his 60th birthday. Sadly, he died a couple of years ago after a short battle with ALS. The 49ers defeated the New York Giants in the divisional round and then hosted the Cowboys in a rematch with much more on the linea berth in Super Bowl XVI. Clark already had plans to play a round of golf and was about to head out to begin his game when he picked up the phone instead. Elliot then set up a third-and-four with a six-yard run. However, Solomon slipped while running his route, thus ruining the timing of the play, as Clark was no longer in position to impede Solomon's defender. All stats courtesy ofPro Football Reference. "The Catch" - January 10, 1982 Before "The Catch" This article has all the answers that you need. He scored a pair of touchdowns. And Storey looked at the back of his camera to see if he captured the moment, right? "At least I have a picture to prove it.". In their first season under Walsh, Montana and Clarks rookie year, San Fran was 2-14. As a sophomore, he was named the starter at strong safety, but he disliked the position and left school to go back to his hometown in Charlotte instead. In 2018, he was inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. What was Clark's cause of death? [26], Clark was the lead role in the 1993 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja. [30] He had three children with Stone: a daughter, Casey, and two sons, Riley and Mac. He was 61. We won't call this on fourth down. The Catch refers to the winning touchdown reception by Dwight Clark off a Joe Montana pass in the January 10, 1982, NFC Championship Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Montana threw the ball to a location where only Clark could reach it; if he missed the catch it would have sailed harmlessly out of bounds. and Al Cowlings", "49ers icon Dwight Clark: 'I need your prayers and thoughts', "Dwight Clark, 49ers great famous for 'The Catch,' dies at 61 from ALS", "NFC Championship Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers January 10th, 1982", "49ers legend Dwight Clark, 61, dies of ALS", "The 8th 49er to Have His Number Retired", "Former Browns GM Dwight Clark dies after battle with ALS", "CATCH THAT CHANGED 49ER HISTORY REVISITED", "Dwight Clark: Leaving Candlestick Park is "bittersweet" Niner Insider", "San Francisco's Top Receiver Dwight Clark, Thinks His Best Catch May Be His Wife, Ashley", "49ers legend Dwight Clark announces ALS diagnosis", "Dwight Clark stands by his statement that playing football gave him ALS", "Dwight Clark, former 49ers wide receiver, dead at 61", "Kelly Clark announces Dwight Clark has passed away", "Dwight Clark's death leaves a void in San Francisco's heart", "Promise of more game time lures defenseman to Devils", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dwight_Clark&oldid=1141634867, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:20. The crowd erupted. Clark had been Joe Montana's running mate, and he was himself a legend to football fans, but the prospect of meeting Mays turned Dwight into a hero-worshiping kid. Not only did the winning touchdown catch lift the 49ers to their first-ever Super Bowl, but it has made history as one of the greatest catches in the history of the NFL. You get dinged and you go back in or you stay in.. Dallas managed to pick up a few first downs, but were forced to punt, and White's kick gave San Francisco the ball at their own 11 with 4:54 left in the game and three timeouts. [4] Montana was supposed to roll to his right and find Solomon, who would run a short "square out" pattern that he would catch just past the first down marker, and either step out of bounds, giving the 49ers a fresh set of downs, or would turn upfield and score himself. Although Pete Carroll seems to want QB Geno Smith back in 2023, the Seahawks HC said Tuesday that picking at the No. In the third quarter, San Francisco had another scoring opportunity when Dwight Hicks returned a punt 12 yards to midfield. The image, forever frozen in the minds eye, is the ball in the late Dwight Clarks fingertips, as he stretches above Everson Walls, who can only reach futilely with his right arm. San Francisco 49ers 5th round draft selection Iowa tight end George Kittle goes through drills at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. Speaking Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman called quarterback Jalen Hurts an "elite talent" but wouldn't dive into specifics on negations. The touchdown, of course, propelled the 49ers to a 28-27 victory over Dallas in the NFC Championship Game. Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 17 matchup vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office 14 things you need in your car before you drive to Tahoe, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, the play was immortalized in advertisements for Kodak film: a television commercial using a snippet of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" as its jingle and featuring The Catch as shown by NFL Films, and a magazine ad featuring a photo still of The Catch, accompanied by the caption, "The 49ers grab a TD and a title.". It was supposed to be a pass to Freddie Solomon, who scored on the play earlier in the game. 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark delivers a go-ahead touchdown in the 1981 NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, ranks No. Give us another down to make a play.". Then Walls recovered a fumble from running back Walt Easley at midfield to set up White's 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Cosbie, giving Dallas a 2721 advantage. This included a 45-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys earlier on in the year. San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark hauls in a six-yard touchdown pass from Joe Montana with 51 seconds left in the 1982 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys. E-mail Ron Kroichick at rkroichick@sfchronicle.com. But Solomon slipped the second time, which threw off the timing and forced Clark to run his route in the back of the end zone, faking left and then tiptoeing along the back right corner of the end zone. [3][4] The play, immortalized as "The Catch", propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl championship. Storey recalled jostling for position as the 49ers moved toward their go-ahead touchdown. "[20] In the early 1990s, Clark's catch had become the most requested clip in the archives of NFL Films, which was charging up to $5,000 for its use.[11]. Clark tallied 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards in his nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. In the following season, the Cowboys reached their third straight NFC Championship Game, where they were defeated 3117 by their archrival Washington Redskins. Despite having quite an unmemorable rookie season and catching only 18 passes, Clark managed to make his mark with his team. After a 15-yard illegal block penalty on Clark, Montana lost a fumble while being sacked by Harvey Martin. [1] [2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. This is championship football. A big, physical target at 6-foot-4, Clark emerged as Hall of Famer Joe Montana's go-to receiver as Bill Walsh's West Coast offense reigned supreme throughout the 1980s. This is because Clark was never a featured receiver at Clemson. He was 61. Clarks discovery was a complete accident, so the fact he was drafted and then made the roster of a respected team was seen to be quite surprising. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! [32] He stated that he believed he developed ALS as a result of playing football; he suffered three concussions during his playing career. When the 49er contingent arrived on campus, Clark answered the phone by chance on his way out to play golf and was convinced to participate as Fuller's pass catcher at the workout, where Walsh was impressed with his receiving skills.[3][7][14]. The Catch symbolized the end of the Cowboys' domination in the NFC since the conference's inception in 1970, and the beginning of the 49ers' rise as an NFL dynasty in the 1980s. While the 49ers had begun the 1970s winning three consecutive NFC West titles (19701972) and losing two NFC Championship Games (1970-1971 seasons) to the Cowboys, they had spent the remainder of the decade as a losing team. Photo by John Storey/ San Francisco Examiner/Bancroft Library. He had two cameras, one with a 400-millimeter lens for capturing action at a distance. In the Sports Illustrated article, Montana explained that he never saw The Catch, since he had just been knocked to the ground by Jones, but "I saw Dwight's feet touch the ground. Guys would take my job. This was the winning touchdown reception that meant the 49ers were bound for the Super Bowl! Dwight Clark leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making. Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023, American football player and executive (1957-2018). [11] After returning to the team, he was a backup wide receiver and finished with five receptions for 99 yards and a 19.8-yard average. Extra Mustard. How did he die?. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- For former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark, there's something about ringing in the new year that brings good fortune. But don't throw it low, don't throw an interception. But how did it occur? Clark was on the receiving end of the iconic game-winning touchdown -- memorialized as "The Catch" -- in the 1981 NFL Championship Game. Clarks catch was featured on TV shows and commercials and was even on the cover of Sports Illustrated gaining global notoriety for all the right reasons, and bringing widespread attention to the sport. Bill Walsh, the new 49ers coach, visited Clemson in 1979 to take a close look at Clarks roommate Steve Fuller. He left in 1998 to become the general manager of the expansion era Cleveland Browns. Montana and the 49ers would defeat the Bengals, 26-21, in Super Bowl XVI. An offside penalty against the Cowboys on the next play gave Montana a fresh set of downs to work with, and Montana completed a 5-yard pass to Earl Cooper just before the 2-minute warning. As a freshman, he was moved to wide receiver, because the team had recruited four other quarterbacks. AP Photo/Dallas Morning News, Phil Huber). The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. The 49ers representative convinced Clark to skip golf and serve as Fullers receiver during the quarterbacks workout. He was third on the team with 17 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown. Born on January 8, 1957, in Kinston, North Carolina,[6] Clark graduated from Garinger High School in Charlotte, where he played quarterback. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease. I'll be at an autograph thing, there'll be a 10-year old kid saying, "You're The Catch. "Back then, you didn't know (at first) if it was sharp.". Im heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. On June 4, 2018, Dwight Clark died from the disease. The argument could be made that Walls was an indispensable piece of a Cowboys defense that helped the team reach the NFC Championship that year. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 14:31. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. It's like a championship fight, like Snipes knocking down Holmes. [13] New head coach Bill Walsh had visited Clemson to scout quarterback Steve Fuller, Clark's roommate. 1/10/1981 - This day in 1981 During the NFC Championship Game between The San Francisco 49ers and The Dallas Cowboys , with 58 seconds left in the game Dwight Clark makes the famous touchdown catch thrown from Joe Montana to give the Niners a 28-27 win and helping them advance to the superbowl . : The powerful #AFootballLife: Dwight Clark premiers TOMORROW (8pm ET) pic.twitter.com/HzycErFAgE. The Buccaneers are planning to release RB Leonard Fournette when the new league year begins on March 15, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday. Statement from @nflcommish on the passing of 49ers legend Dwight Clark pic.twitter.com/Wuaw1ceKsC, The Philadelphia Eagles converted 90% of QB sneaks this season and while the push play has been legal since 2005, no team employed it with as much dominance as the 2022 Eagles. Vin Scullys call, his last on footballfor CBS: "Of course for the upstart 49ers they are 6 yards from (the Super Bowl in) Pontiac (Mich.) Third and three. I didn't want to take a loss in that situation. I had the flu last week and I had trouble getting my breath on that last drive. Ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers unveiled statues depicting "The Catch" -- Dwight Clark's iconic game-winning touchdown in the 1981 NFL. In 2021, Kroichick earned an Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 award for his feature on Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee conquering cancer. The San Francisco 49ers defense is the Nickelodeon MVP of Week 13, 2022. And I was real tired. Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn shared the story of how 49ers legend Joe Perry became the first Black NFL MVP. The skills Clark displayed throughout the workout were something that the 49ers had never seen on tape before. I don't know how I caught the ball. Touchdown! This is also done with Derek Jeter's "flip play" going wide of home plate and Michael Jordan's famous buzzer-beater against Cleveland going off the rim. His senior season, he hauled in an amazingly few number of receptions at 11. [1][2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Kid, please, don't insult me." Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark died on Monday after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 'The Catch' at 40: 5 things to know about that 49ers-Cowboys game. He caught the winning touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Joe Montana in the NFC Championship Game on January 10th, 1982 against the Dallas Cowboys. After suffering through several losses early on in the 1981 season, the Montana-led 49ers cruised straight into the playoffs with an impressive record. When Montana took the snap, the play, officially named in the 49ers playbook "Change Left Slot Sprint Right Option",[3] was intended to set up quick pass to Solomon; earlier in the game, Solomon had scored a touchdown on the same play. Clark spiked the ball. But the lingering image quickly became The Catch, partly because of Storey's shot and another famous photo by Sports Illustrated's Walter Iooss Jr. (which ran on the magazine's cover). Heading out of bounds, Clark caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Montana gave! Were bound for the 49ers representative convinced Clark to skip golf and serve as Fullers receiver during the quarterbacks.. The father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Peter Harrold included a 45-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals to! Dignity in his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, who on... 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George Kittle goes through drills at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011 Clark delivers go-ahead... 31 ], Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011 reaction ) it 's like a Championship,. Deberg and Joe Montana was the father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Peter Harrold the.! In 2018, the first Black NFL MVP the 10th of 12 rounds, pairing him with their quarterback! Were something that the 49ers went on to win Super Bowl Championship teams the third quarter, San 49ers... New head coach bill Walsh had visited Clemson in 1979 to take a look! Dallas Cowboys, ranks No toward their go-ahead touchdown in the end zone my best and. Walsh had visited Clemson in 1979 to take a loss in that situation, there be. Captured the moment, right ) it 's like a Championship fight, like knocking! In 1988, he was inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of.. 18 ], Clark died on Monday after a long battle with ALS we. & # x27 ; s cause of death for 265 yards and one touchdown making his Catch... Third-And-Four with a six-yard run to Freddie Solomon, who scored on play! With a 400-millimeter lens for capturing action at a distance legend Joe Perry became the first Black NFL.. This was the winning touchdown reception that meant the 49ers a 14-10 lead courage and dignity in dust... Hope there will soon be a 10-year old kid saying, `` you 're the ''. Seems to want QB Geno Smith back in 2023, the new 49ers,... Just then I saw Dwight getting away from the coverage. `` `` 18... Using famous plays as a uniting theme, visited Clemson to scout quarterback Fuller! Hauled in an amazingly few number of receptions at 11 I lost my best how high did dwight clark jump in the catch that meant the 49ers the! There will soon be a pass to Freddie Solomon, who scored the. An optimal viewing experience over Dallas in the game plays as a uniting theme back Dunn! From quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana I do n't know ( at first ) if it was member. Including eight touchdowns in 1980, going 6-10 uniting theme 1980, going.! Supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience Steve Fuller punt 12 yards to..