Dwight Clark

Dwight Clark (January 8, 1957 – June 4, 2018) was an American football player and executive. He played for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. Clark is best known for "The Catch" – one of the most famous plays in NFL history – which he made during the 1981 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Early Life

Dwight Edward Clark was born in Kinston, North Carolina. He played college football at Clemson University, where he started his career as a quarterback before being switched to wide receiver. His performance at Clemson led to his selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft.

Professional Career

Clark joined the 49ers in 1979, the same year the team hired head coach Bill Walsh. This marked the beginning of a successful era for Clark and the 49ers. Over his career, Clark made two Pro Bowl appearances and won two Super Bowl rings (XVI and XIX). He finished his career with 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns.

The most memorable moment of Clark's career came in the 1981 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, in a play that would simply be known as "The Catch". With 58 seconds left in the game and the 49ers trailing, Clark leaped and caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana in the back of the end zone. This play secured a 28-27 victory for the 49ers and sent them to Super Bowl XVI, where they won their first championship.

Post-Playing Career

After retiring from playing, Clark served in various executive roles for the 49ers, including team Vice President and Director of Football Operations. He was instrumental in maintaining the team's competitive edge during the 1990s.

Legacy

Dwight Clark's contributions to the 49ers and his iconic catch have made him a legendary figure in NFL history. He was inducted into the Clemson University Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. "The Catch" is commemorated by the 49ers with a statue outside of their stadium, and Clark's jersey number, 87, is honored by the team.

Personal Life and Death

Clark was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2017. He publicly announced his diagnosis, bringing attention to the disease and its connection to football. Clark passed away on June 4, 2018, at the age of 61.

See Also

• San Francisco 49ers
• Bill Walsh
• Joe Montana
• Super Bowl XVI
• 1981 NFC Championship Game

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