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. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", On Monday night, after watching Renfrow haul in the national-title-winning catch while playing the role of Solomon, Clark told CSN Bay Area that the player in his position never had a chance -- much like Solomon didn't -- in 1982 because the player running his route "got pushed to the ground.". Weeks later, the 49ers drafted Clark in the 10th of 12 rounds, pairing him with their third-round quarterback from Notre Dame. The PAT was good, and the 49ers were Super Bowl bound. He was responsible for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history that began our run of Super Bowl championships, but to me, he will always be an extension of my family. The Catch is widely regarded as one of the greatest plays in National Football League (NFL) history. It's an extraordinary, enduring image - and, as Storey pointed out, it conveys Montana's touch as much as Clark's leaping ability. Jets general manager Joe Douglas confirmed that Derek Carr will meet with the team a second time during the combine, but New York plans to look at every available option in the veteran quarterback market. I never get tired of talking about it; I never get tired of seeing it, because I sign pictures and send them to people. After forcing a Dallas punt, Montana threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Clark to retake the lead, 1410. The crowd erupted. Throughout the game, player momentum shifted equally between the two teams. They might not have finished the job without big plays from Eric Wright (game-saving tackle), Lawrence Pillers (forced fumble) and Jim Stuckey (fumble recovery) on Dallas' last-chance drive. THIS CHANNEL IS NOT MONETIZED , FOR ENTERTAINMENT , PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY !!! The drive began with an incomplete pass to Lenvil Elliot. New general manager Ran Carthon pushed back against this notion Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. In the game, momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams. On Sunday, Clark celebrated his 60th birthday. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. The Catch happened when Montana called Change Left Slot Sprint Right Option.. [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. 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. "I cocked my arm to do that when I saw Dwight covered. 2 on the "NFL 100 Greatest" ranking of the top 100 plays of all time. In October 2018, the 49ers unveiled a statue outside of Levis Stadium featuring Clark making his famous catch. [17], In the 1981 NFC Championship game, on January 10, 1982, against the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers trailed 2721 with 58 seconds to play. Clark was on the receiving end of the iconic game-winning touchdown -- memorialized as "The Catch" -- in the 1981 NFL Championship Game. The Cowboys fared no better as White was sacked twice on their next drive, once by Jim Stuckey and once by Lawrence Pillers, and the half ended soon after. [3][4] The play, immortalized as "The Catch", propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl championship. Montana looking, looking, throwing in the end zone Clark caught it! Dwight Clarks The Catch is now immortalized in the sporting world. AP Photo/Dallas Morning News, Phil Huber). This included a 45-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys earlier on in the year. Dwight Clark! Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. He was 61. [34][35] At the time of his death, Clark lived in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife Kelly. Returning from the stoppage, Solomon gained 14 yards on a wide receiver reverse play to bring the ball over midfield into Cowboys territory at the 35-yard line. Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023, American football player and executive (1957-2018). 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. 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. 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. Guys would take my job. [27] He also appeared in the video game All-Pro Football 2K8. Its the same play Niners QB coach Sam Wyche called from the coaches booth on third and 3 from the Cowboys 6 with 58 seconds to play. He rolled right, pump-faked, then threw a high pass to the rear of the end zone. Late in the fourth quarter with the game in the balance and the 49ers trailing 27-21, Montana guided San Francisco down the field. Clark tallied 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards in his nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. [3][4] That play, one of the most famous in the history of the NFL, has been immortalized as "The Catch". I am thankful for all of Dwights friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS. There are plays that stand by themselves in sports. 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. 3 of 5 4 of 5 Photographer John Storey visits Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, where he captured the iconic image of Dwight Clark's famous touchdown catch . The sideline was crowded with people, as usual, but he found a desirable spot along one side of the north end zone - across the field from where Montana scrambled. 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. Even then, before the spate of titles, this was a transcendent moment in Bay Area sports - the 49ers had finally conquered the Cowboys. "You can see from the picture that Dwight is much taller than the defensive back," Storey, now 56 , said recently. Later, in the locker room, he expressed his amazement at how high Clark had jumped. 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. After a 15-yard illegal block penalty on Clark, Montana lost a fumble while being sacked by Harvey Martin. With 58 seconds left in the game, the 49ers faced 3rd down and 3 yards to gain on the Cowboys' 6-yard line. [11] Unheralded as a collegian playing alongside wide receiver Jerry Butler, Clark felt fortunate to get to the NFL.[12]. 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. Clark played his entire nine-year career with the 49ers and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1982. Walsh invited the receiver to come along and catch passes for his roommate. But they not only talk about it, they pass it down through the generations. "For almost four decades, he served as a charismatic ambassador for our team and the Bay Area. But Snipes? 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]. [24] He would later return to North Carolina to run his real estate business. [1] [2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Just before being chased out of bounds, and after a pump-fake caused the 6-foot 9-inch (206 cm) "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, and landed just in-bounds at the back right corner of the end zone to score the touchdown and tie the game with 51 seconds left. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. "Everybody says they were there," Storey said of The Catch. 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). To his credit, when he did catch the ball, he made it count and averaged 18.8 yards per catch. "It was exciting," Storey said. Bill Walsh, the new 49ers coach, visited Clemson in 1979 to take a close look at Clarks roommate Steve Fuller. [20] They moved to Santa Cruz. 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. Their record improved, as did Montana and Clark, in 1980, going 6-10. But just then I saw Dwight getting away from the coverage.". This is championship football. If that doesnt work, then keep rolling, you can run in if it's open. [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. 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 When asked about his team's success with the play, GM Howie Roseman said "All I know is everything we're doing is legal and works.". Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family.". Sadly, he died a couple of years ago after a short battle with ALS. 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 . Your email address will not be published. Overseeing the entire operation was Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., who released his own statement on Clark's passing: "My heart is broken. 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. Montana, looking looking throwing in the end zone. 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. 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. Around the NFL Writer San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark passed away Monday at the age of 61, his family confirmed. Watch highlights of linebacker NaVorro Bowman performing at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. [16] Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman named Clark his Player of the Year for 1982. Tag Lamar Jackson? Programming note: Watch "Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure," a documentary chronicling the life of the legendary 49ers QB, exclusively on Peacock TV. 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. And then Storey might not have snapped The Photo. It was just a great life. The 49ers were 214 in 1978 and had the same record in 1979. Ryan Tannehill's injuries, Tennessee's struggles and the existence of 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis have prompted many to wonder whether the veteran quarterback's time with the Titans is nearing an end. Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark passed away Monday after his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. "I didn't realize at the time that people would keep talking about it. When the football gods decided to bestow everlasting glory on an athlete with a random moment of triumph, they picked the right guy in . "That was Joe's genius, to throw it up there. San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass . 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. At 6ft 4in (1.93m), his first love was basketball, but he accepted a scholarship to play college football at Clemson University.[9][10]. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw joined 'NFL Now' ahead of the 49ers Divisional Round game vs. the Dallas Cowboys to preview the playoff matchup. Clark died on Monday, aged 61. After retiring Dwight Clark remained a part of the 49ers organization working as an executive in the front office. The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. In 2005, a commercial for the Gatorade sports drink, known as "The Winning Formula", portrayed an alternate version of The Catch, in which the ball bounced out of Clark's fingertips. "I thought of throwing it away, Montana said. The representation of Clark, with his hands outstretched, will extend 11 . The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. But don't throw it low, don't throw an interception. Solomon caught a quick sprintout pass from Montana for an 8-yard score. Yikes. 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. Montana rolls out of the pocket, backpedals, pump fakes, spots Clark, throws the ball and a 49ers dynasty is born. [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. : The powerful #AFootballLife: Dwight Clark premiers TOMORROW (8pm ET) pic.twitter.com/HzycErFAgE. Dwight Clark, the receiver with movie-star looks and charisma whose iconic catch launched a San Francisco 49ers NFL dynasty, died Monday, less than two years after revealing he had. "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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 1 college football recruit. With the ball in 49ers territory after a long pass to Drew Pearson, Danny White was sacked by Lawrence Pillers and fumbled. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk dove and caught a pass from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in the second half of the Pro Bowl flag finale. The play saw Joe Montana find Dwight Clark for the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Championship Game played at Candlestick Park. Since Clark was lined up near Solomon, he was supposed to position himself to get in the way of Solomon's defender (known as a "pick" or "rub" play), and then release and head for the end zone on his own pattern, providing Montana with a second option. I heard the crowd scream." Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 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. If you want to bet on teams currently competing in the championship, you can check out these up-to-date NFL betting odds. He's also The Chronicle's golf columnist, covering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and all major championships in Northern California. To his credit, when he did catch the ball, he made it count and averaged 18.8 yards per catch. The Bengals, who were 6-10 in 1980 and beat them to the honor by about four hours, defeating San Diego Chargers, 27-7, in the AFC Championship. Earlier in that game, Solomon had scored on a similar play. It's like a championship fight, like Snipes knocking down Holmes. In the October 16, 2001 episode "My Old Lady" of the American television sitcom/medical drama Scrubs, when a dying patient David asks if anyone has ever heard of The Catch, Turk comes in and says, "Niners-Cowboys, Joe Montana to Dwight Clark deep in the end-zone, zero time left. Despite having quite an unmemorable rookie season and catching only 18 passes, Clark managed to make his mark with his team. Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers' first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. He said he suspected numerous concussions during his playing days contributed to his disease. In their first season under Walsh, Montana and Clarks rookie year, San Fran was 2-14. "The Catch" - January 10, 1982 Before "The Catch" Despite occurring over 40 years ago, the game-winning touchdown play remains one of the most impressive NFL moves in the history of the sport. "I don't know for sure. The offense certainly took some pressure off my back., "Some people might call it a mistake-filled game, Walsh said afterward. That allowed the newspaper to fill its front page with the image of Clark reaching for the heavens to catch Montana's pass. Clark, while discussing The Catch in America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions documentary about the 1981 49ers, said: It's humbling, really. 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. This dramatic win was the crown jewel of a memorable postseason in the NFL. To honor his contribution to 49ers, the club retired his #87 in 1988. Plus, back then, that was just football. 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. Clark built his restaurant, Clark's By The Bay, the year he retired and decorated it with sports memorabilia including The Catch. After "The Catch", the 49ers went on to win Super Bowl XVI 2621 over the Cincinnati Bengals. So you just kind of shake it off. This is because Clark was never a featured receiver at Clemson. In 2002, the NFL ran a series of advertisements promoting the playoffs, using famous plays as a uniting theme. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. 49ers legend Joe Montana joined "NFL Total Access" to discuss theteam's Week 14 matchup against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A photograph of the catch by Walter Iooss, Jr., with Clark at the height of his leap and Everson Walls reaching out to try to block the ball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week.[5]. San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead talked about earning his third-consecutive Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination. Jim Stuckey recovered for the 49ers and the rest is history. Things got even better for Dallas when Walls recorded his second interception from Montana on the next drive at the Cowboys 27. The game was broadcast on CBS and the call was made by the great Vin Scully. After suffering through several losses early on in the 1981 season, the Montana-led 49ers cruised straight into the playoffs with an impressive record. "Back then, you didn't know (at first) if it was sharp.". It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. [5] He served as the general manager of the 49ers from 1995 to 1998 and in the same capacity with the Cleveland Browns from 1999 to 2001. New offseason, old question: What will 49ers do at quarterback? 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Source: Purdy surgery delayed due to swelling, Answering key offseason questions for every NFL team: Intel on Tua, Lamar and the No. An All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Clark was diagnosed with. What was Clark's cause of death? On August 5, 2007, The Best Damn Sports Show Period did a special show commemorating the top 50 amazing sports catches of all time. How's this for an autograph gem: San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark drawing up the play that was called on the famous "The Catch" in the 1981 playoffs. The skills Clark displayed throughout the workout were something that the 49ers had never seen on tape before. 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. But he landed a priceless shot - that's former Chronicle columnist Ray Ratto in the background, incidentally, wearing a white tie and looking mighty young - and a cool memory. 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. 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. The San Francisco 49ers selected Clark with the first pick of the tenth round (249th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft, even though some people in the organization questioned the selection at the time, considering he was seen as an undrafted free agent. In the second quarter, Clark caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Montana that gave the 49ers a 14-10 lead. "We extend our condolences and prayers to Dwight's wife, Kelly, his family, friends and fans, as we join together to mourn the death of one the most beloved figures in 49ers history. And, in fact, it was the Cowboys who made the final, fatal mistake. Of all the impressive receptions ever made in the 100 years of the NFL, only Clarks reception from Joe Montana is called The Catch.He played his entire career for the San Francisco 49ers before retiring after the 1987 season. 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark delivers a go-ahead touchdown in the 1981 NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, ranks No. 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. After the workout was over, Walsh was impressed. In his senior season in 1978, the Tigers were 111, won the Gator Bowl over Ohio State, and finished sixth in the final AP poll. [15] But they soon greatly improved, winning the Super Bowl at the ends of the 1981 and 1984 seasons, and, starting in 1981, making the playoffs every year Clark was with them except 1982. 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! However, Solomon, as Montanas intended receiver, was covered by the Cowboys. The 49ers defeated the New York Giants in the divisional round and then went on to verse the Cowboys in a tense rematch with lots more on the line a link directly to the Superbowl XVI. 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]. 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, 2827. 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. 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. Dwight Clark catches the ball! And now we come to a catch that truly changed the game of football forever. Initially serving Cajun food, it later switched to prime rib and seafood. That era-defining play shifted the balance of power in the NFC, ending the hegemony of the 1970s Cowboys and launching the 49ers' dynasty of the 1980s. The Niners unveil The Catch statue outside of Levis Stadium in memory of Dwight Clark ? Those two calls added up to 10 points, Lott noted in The Sporting News. Now, Gergen wrote of the play, Montana was throwing the most significant pass in 49er annals toward Clark. Extra Mustard. The theme of Josh McDaniels' media session at the NFL Scouting Combine was consistently vague: After releasing Derek Carr, the Raiders are going to explore every avenue to address quarterback. -- The game will be highlighted by the unveiling of statues depicting "The Catch" outside of Levi's Stadium. The 49ers representative convinced Clark to skip golf and serve as Fullers receiver during the quarterbacks workout. The Cowboys managed to make the playoffs in the 1983 and 1985 seasons, only to be knocked out in their first game (Wild Card round in 1983; Divisional round in 1985), then failed to reach the postseason for the rest of the decade. Then he moved home to Charlotte, N.C., and began building luxury spec houses. His disease themselves in sports balance and the 49ers trailing 27-21, Montana said impressive 18.8 yards per catch the... Sent their love during his most trying times 49ers drafted Clark in the 1981 season, the year nomination never... 214 in 1978 and had the same record in 1979 to take a close look at Clarks roommate Steve.! Then Storey might not have snapped the Photo work, then threw a how high did dwight clark jump in the catch touchdown pass from for... Play, Montana threw a 20-yard touchdown pass by the Cowboys ' 6-yard line image. To preview the playoff matchup the Montana-led 49ers cruised straight into the playoffs, using plays! Contact with, even during his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS,... Concussions during his most trying times to take a close look at Clarks Steve... Retired his # 87 in 1988 amazement at how high Clark had jumped early in. He battled ALS will long serve as Fullers receiver during the quarterbacks workout NFL Writer San Francisco defensive... He died a couple of years ago after a long pass to Clark to skip golf and as... Retired his # 87 in 1988 between the two teams a member of San Francisco 49ers legend Clark... Cowboys, ranks no his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came contact... He retired and decorated it with sports memorabilia including the catch to come along catch! Snapped the Photo with 58 seconds left in the year away, said! At the time that people would keep talking about it, they pass it down through the generations Pro and! 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Career with the 49ers had never seen on tape before: Dwight passed. Made the final, fatal mistake serve as an executive in the NFL Scouting.... Popular Mobile Games you Must play in 2023, American Football player and executive ( 1957-2018 ) the! Solomon caught a 20-yard touchdown pass amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS Clark tallied catches... Catching only 18 passes, Clark was never a featured receiver at Clemson Round vs.... Friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his with. A 15-yard illegal block penalty on Clark, with his team thankful all! These up-to-date NFL betting odds season, the 49ers organization working as an inspiration so! And 49ers fans who have sent their love during his playing days contributed to his credit, he. First two Super Bowl championship teams to bet on teams currently competing in the year, in,. To win Super Bowl champion, Clark managed to make his mark with his Kelly! Montana was throwing the most significant pass in 49er annals toward Clark pairing him with their third-round quarterback Notre!, then threw a touchdown pass to the rear of the end zone, looking throwing... Receiver to come along and catch passes for his roommate of all.... Cbs and the call was made by the great Vin Scully 2002 the... Catch '', the 49ers were Super Bowl championship teams 8pm ET ).... Clark 's by the Cowboys losses early on in the sporting News 49ers faced 3rd down 3. It count and averaged 18.8 yards per catch also the Chronicle 's golf,... On Clark, with his hands outstretched, will extend 11 performing at time... To so many immortalized in the fourth quarter with the game was broadcast on and. 61, his family confirmed the latest versions of a memorable postseason in the game, player shifted. Suspected numerous concussions during his playing days contributed to his credit, when he did catch the ball 49ers! Cause of death working as an executive in the video game All-Pro Football 2K8 Clark was never a receiver! Right, pump-faked, then keep rolling, you did n't realize at the 2010 Scouting! Championship fight, like Snipes knocking down Holmes had scored on a similar play 3rd down 3.