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's leap and fingertip grab remains one of the most famous plays in NFL history for not only its degree of difficulty, but also for how clutch it was in a big moment. Im heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. Montana completed a 6-yard pass to Freddie Solomon to get the first down, then handed off twice to Elliot who gained eleven and seven yards respectively, but dropped a second incomplete pass on second-and-three from their own 41-yard line. The "Good Morning Football" crew revealed New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith for Comeback Player of the Year finalists. [20] They moved to Santa Cruz. Before that, Walls had intercepted Montana twice. The "Good Morning Football" crew broke down the top storylines following the San Francisco 49ers win vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium. That would be Renaldo Snipes, who in November 1981 gave Holmes a surprisingly tough bout in Pittsburgh, including, by one account, a perfectly timed overhand right (that) connected cleanly with Holmes chin and caused the champions legs to fold up like a defective lawn chair collapsing under an unsuspecting party guest.. 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. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle shared his most memorable moments of the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. Thirty years later, John Storey remains grateful it was Joe Montana scrambling to his right on that memorable January 1982 day. Weeks later, the 49ers drafted Clark in the 10th of 12 rounds, pairing him with their third-round quarterback from Notre Dame. Yet the largest ripple effect of The Catch wasnt necessarily felt on the football field, but in the heart of the city of San Francisco itself. Clark and Montana re-enacted The Catch in observance of the 25th anniversary of the play as part of San Francisco alumni day activities at halftime of the Minnesota game November 5, 2006, at Candlestick Park. "What I love about it the most is that it's connected me with 49ers fans for the rest of time," Clark said in 2013. He said he suspected numerous concussions during his playing days contributed to his disease. He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. Wide receiver Freddie Solomon was lined up in the right slot, while Dwight Clark was outside of Solomon, wide to the right. New general manager Ran Carthon pushed back against this notion Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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 the second quarter, San Francisco reached the Cowboys' 27-yard line, only to lose the ball when Everson Walls intercepted a pass from Montana in the end zone. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family.". How did he die?. Earlier in that game, Solomon had scored on a similar play. In the Niners' version, Montana's first read was supposed to be receiver Freddie Solomon, who was supposed to shake loose via pick, just as Renfrow did. "Theres all kinds of versions of how we had practiced it, where we practiced it, when -- everybody remembers it a little bit different," Clark told the 49ers website in 2013. I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched. He was Executive Vice President and Director of Football Operations from 1999 to 2001. He was 61 years old. Walls and free safety Michael Downs were nearby. Required fields are marked *. An All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Clark was diagnosed with. [30] He had three children with Stone: a daughter, Casey, and two sons, Riley and Mac. In the second quarter, Clark caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Montana that gave the 49ers a 14-10 lead. And how did it impact football? John Taylor was better than I was, so I couldnt come out of the game. The legendary moment that changed the 49ers and San Francisco sports' fortunes forever. Clark spiked the ball. Give us another down to make a play.". The Catch is widely regarded as one of the greatest plays in National Football League (NFL) history. Although it didn't play out exactly how "The Catch" did, it was just another sweet victory in early January for Clark. The drive began with an incomplete pass to Lenvil Elliot. [22] On May 14, 2002, he resigned from his position with the Browns after new head coach Butch Davis requested the right to make personnel decisions. [21] He served as a team executive for the 49ers until 1998, when he resigned to become the first General Manager in the expansion era of the Cleveland Browns, after following Carmen Policy who would run the team under the ownership of Al Lerner. Dwight Clark, a receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, is best known for making what is now seen as one of the most iconic catches during the 1981 NFC Championship. 10 teams that could have interest, and how much cash he could get. Jim Stuckey recovered the dropped ball, giving the 49ers offense possession near midfield, and allowing Montana to kneel down twice and run out the clock. 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. I am honored to be able to be a part of a play that was kind of the culmination of just this incredible surprise season. After retiring Dwight Clark remained a part of the 49ers organization working as an executive in the front office. Despite having quite an unmemorable rookie season and catching only 18 passes, Clark managed to make his mark with his team. This is championship football. [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. Except this time Montana, sprinting right, away from dominant Cowboys pass rusher Harvey Martin, faced a decision. If that doesnt work, then keep rolling, you can run in if it's open. He was 61. 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. [3][4] That play, one of the most famous in the history of the NFL, has been immortalized as "The Catch". He left in 1998 to become the general manager of the expansion era Cleveland Browns. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In the Eastern time zone, Renfrow scored his touchdown on Jan. 10, exactly 35 years after Clark made "The Catch." Dwight Clark's catch beat the Cowboys and remains one of the iconic moments in NFL . 49ers quarterback Joe Montana went on to gain a reputation for his last-minute heroics, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, his first year of eligibility. [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. He also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and won an additional Super Bowl in 1984. "I will always remember Dwight the way he was -- larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade. "That was Joe's genius, to throw it up there. Dwight Clark celebrates 35th anniversary of 'The Catch' with Clemson national title, Predicting the 2023 starting QB for all 32 NFL teams, from the locks to the wild cards, 49ers All-Pro Nick Bosa will 'break the entire bank,' but it might take time, A new home for Michael Thomas? 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. In the game, momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams. Born on January 8, 1957, in Kinston, North Carolina,[6] Clark graduated from Garinger High School in Charlotte, where he played quarterback. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Then 49ers running back Bill Ring lost a fumble on his own 29, leading to White's 26-yard touchdown pass to Tony Hill that put the Cowboys up 107. Late on in the fourth quarter with the game hanging in the balance and the 49ers trailing with 27-21, Montana swiftly guided the 49ers down the entire field. [34][35] At the time of his death, Clark lived in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife Kelly. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. At 6ft 4in (1.93m), his first love was basketball, but he accepted a scholarship to play college football at Clemson University.[9][10]. 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). 'The Catch' at 40: 5 things to know about that 49ers-Cowboys game. The first? Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. Following the Gatorade logo, the real version was shown with Dwight Clark's completion. The 49ers were 214 in 1978 and had the same record in 1979. ", "More importantly," Silver recalled, "Clark taught me that a man could live out a remarkable dream, emerge as a beloved icon for one of America's most storied cities, receive the spoils that come with such a regal role -- and never, ever act as though he were owed a morsel of it.". [11] Unheralded as a collegian playing alongside wide receiver Jerry Butler, Clark felt fortunate to get to the NFL.[12]. Dwight Clark was never destined to be a star in the NFL, let alone make one of the greatest catches in NFL history. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. The touchdown, of course, propelled the 49ers to a 28-27 victory over Dallas in the NFC Championship Game. Vin Scully described the play on CBS Television: Meanwhile, Jack Buck had the call over on CBS Radio: Meanwhile, Don Klein called the play locally for the 49ers on KCBS: Finally, Verne Lundquist called the play locally for the Cowboys on KRLD: This game was a watershed in the historic fortunes of both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/k2cpWiUr42, Jimmy Garoppolo Cheated Death Immediately After Being Traded to the San Francisco 49ers, Who knows how many times you get your bell rung, Clark said on the 49ers Insider Podcast. The 1990s, however, saw a renewal of the Cowboys-49ers rivalry fueled by "The Catch" game. 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. 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. I feel honored people are still talking about it, 25 years later. On 3rd-and-3, Clark leaped and caught a 6-yard pass from quarterback Joe Montana in the back of the end zone to tie the score, and Ray Wersching's extra-point kick advanced the 49ers to Super Bowl XVI. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. The representation of Clark, with his hands outstretched, will extend 11 . Then he moved home to Charlotte, N.C., and began building luxury spec houses. Photo by John Storey/ San Francisco Examiner/Bancroft Library. Dwight Clark catches the ball! The Catch and Ray Werschings ensuing PAT gave the 49ers a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. If not for a serendipitous phone call intended for former Clemson quarterback Steve Fuller, Clark's career might have been a dream. I never get tired of talking about it; I never get tired of seeing it, because I sign pictures and send them to people. Clark then retired after the 1987 season finished, and in 1988, the 49ers eventually retired his jersey. The Catch is widely regarded as one of the most memorable events in NFL history. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you want to bet on teams currently competing in the championship, you can check out these up-to-date NFL betting odds. Dwight Clarks The Catch is now immortalized in the sporting world. I'll be at an autograph thing, there'll be a 10-year old kid saying, "You're The Catch. The Catch. Suffice it to say, expectations werent exactly high ahead of the 1981 season. Clark played his entire nine-year career with the 49ers and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1982. This ended a remarkable period that saw the Cowboys play in 10 of 13 conference championship games, while Danny White, who had become Dallas' starting quarterback in 1980, drew criticism for "not being able to win the big game," despite leading the team to successful winning seasons. 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. Dwight Clark, who made one of the most famous catches in NFL history, died Monday -- 15 months after he announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as 49ers hero Dwight Clark's ashes laid to rest next to same goal post from 'The Catch' And this is Dwight Clark's stone in proximity to where he did make [1] [2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. 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]. CNN Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark died Monday at age 61 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. His wife . [16] Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman named Clark his Player of the Year for 1982. Because Solomon, the first option, was covered, Montana was supposed to look to Clark as his second option. It's a touchdown for the 49ers! Kroichick writes features on the Warriors during the NBA season, and various other topics - ranging from the 49ers/NFL and major-league baseball to college football and basketball - the rest of the year. 5 overall spot is a 'rare opportunity.'. To his credit, when he did catch the ball, he made it count and averaged 18.8 yards per catch. One of the most dramatic plays in NFL history took place 35 years ago. Here are five things you might not know about the teams, the players, the game and, yes, The Catch, from the pages of The Sporting News: TSN ARCHIVES: Swing right option dooms Dallas. [25] Located in Redwood City, California, the restaurant was sold in 1993. The 350-pound statues of Dwight Clark and Joe Montana will be placed exactly 23 yards apart, just as the two 49ers were during the famous play. I don't know how I caught the ball. In October 2018, the 49ers unveiled a statue outside of Levis Stadium featuring Clark making his famous catch. (Long pause for crowd reaction) It's a madhouse at Candlestick!". In 1988, he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame. Around the NFL Writer San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark passed away Monday at the age of 61, his family confirmed. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The 49ers made the playoffs eight out of the next ten seasons and won three more Super Bowls in the 1980s, becoming the NFLs best dynasty of the decade. Reddit . How does a lady pick up a car when it's on top of her baby? The Catch, 40 years ago this week, capped a magnificent 89-yard drive, a breathtaking 6-yard pass play, designed by coach Bill Walsh and executed spectacularly by quarterback Joe Montana and Clark, to make the 49ers NFC champions on Jan. 10, 1982, at Candlestick Park. That allowed the newspaper to fill its front page with the image of Clark reaching for the heavens to catch Montana's pass. Clark's got a touchdown! : The powerful #AFootballLife: Dwight Clark premiers TOMORROW (8pm ET) pic.twitter.com/HzycErFAgE. Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark died on Monday after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). "I thought of throwing it away, Montana said. When the football gods decided to bestow everlasting glory on an athlete with a random moment of triumph, they picked the right guy in . The play saw Joe Montana find Dwight Clark for the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Championship Game played at Candlestick Park. After a less-than-memorable rookie season where he caught just 18 passes, Dwight Clark made his mark with the 49ers catching 80 passes in 1980 from quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve DeBerg, including eight touchdowns. Bob Hille is a senior content consultant for The Sporting News. On television, Vin Scully called the play-by-play and Hank Stram did the color commentary. Watch Deebo Samuel's performance at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Thanks For Watching and bless uP !Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. On Tuesday, he celebrated the 35th anniversary of "The Catch," the game-tying 6-yard touchdown he caught from Joe Montana in the 1982 NFC Championship Game that set up the game-winning extra point to send the Niners to the Super Bowl. 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. "[18], Clark died of the disease on June 4, 2018. Dallas responded with an 80-yard drive, including a controversial pass interference penalty on 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott which nullified his interception and gave the Cowboys a 35-yard gain to the San Francisco 12-yard line. The Catch was the reason for a resurgence in visitors to the city after a tough couple of years caused by lots of negative press coverage. Clark played for the 49ers throughout his nine-year career. Jim Stuckey recovered for the 49ers and the rest is history. Sadly, he died a couple of years ago after a short battle with ALS. What was Clark's cause of death? Storey quickly whirled to follow the pass - he didn't change cameras, given the distance - and snapped away as the ball settled into Clark's hands. Extra Mustard. In the third quarter, San Francisco had another scoring opportunity when Dwight Hicks returned a punt 12 yards to midfield. Five seasons after The Catch, Clark took a job in the 49ers' front office, where he won three more rings. "[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]. Having taken the lead on Clarks catch and the PAT, the 49ers saw their defense snuffout a potential miracle Cowboys finish when Lawrence Pillers sacked Dallas QB Danny White, causing a fumble recovered by the Niners Jim Stuckey. I had the flu last week and I had trouble getting my breath on that last drive. The game was broadcast on CBS and the call was made by the great Vin Scully. The NFL's 2023 Hall of Fame Game will feature the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, the Hall announced Tuesday. Actor Don Cheadle demonstrated the height of Clark's catch by standing on a stepladder in the end zone. Just before being chased out of bounds, and after a pump-fake caused the 6-foot 9-inch Ed Too Tall Jones to leave his feet, Montana threw a high pass to the back of the end zone that seemed to be heading out of bounds until Clark, closely covered by Cowboys defender Everson Walls, made a leaping catch with his fingertips in the back right corner of the end zone to tie the game with 51 seconds left. AP Photo/Dallas Morning News, Phil Huber). Montana said, "We'd never thrown the ball to Dwight on that play, at all. The representative of the 49ers on the other end managed to convince Clark to serve as Fullers receiver during his workout instead of playing golf. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was named the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. He joined Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in 2011 as an analyst for 49ers Postgame Live. Following his workout, the 49ers selected Clark with the first pick of the tenth round, or 249th overall pick, in the 1979 NFL draft. Future Hall of Fame DB Ronnie Lott was flagged twice for crucial pass interference calls that extended Cowboys drives. On second-and-ten, Elliot ran the ball for six yards, to the Dallas six yard line, setting up a third and four for the 49ers, with a possible first down to be made at the 2-yard line and the ball spotted between the hashmarks as the team called their second timeout.[2]. Today, I lost my little brother and one of my best friends. [19] During the 1981 season, Walsh had Montana practice that part of the play back in training camp. Dwight Clark has it! "The Catch," 40 years ago this week, capped a magnificent 89-yard drive, a breathtaking 6-yard pass play, designed by coach Bill Walsh and executed spectacularly by quarterback Joe Montana and. I just dont think I would change anything.? diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a game where the lead shifted back and forth repeatedly, the 49ers took over the ball at their own 11-yard line . This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 14:31. Montana rolls out of the pocket, backpedals, pump fakes, spots Clark, throws the ball and a 49ers dynasty is born. On June 4, 2018, Dwight Clark died from the disease. Storey recalled jostling for position as the 49ers moved toward their go-ahead touchdown. His wife, Kelly, announced his passing on. Tuesday marks the 30th anniversary of the most famous single moment in Bay Area sports history. The 49ers then drove to the Dallas 16-yard line, but once again they failed to score when Montana threw a pass that bounced out of Elliot's hands and was intercepted by Randy White. Though the ball looked like it was heading out of bounds, Clark made a successful leaping grab and tied the game. 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.
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