Though the ball looked like it was heading out of bounds, Clark made a successful leaping grab and tied the game. The 49ers went on to dominate the NFL throughout the remainder of the 1980s, winning four titles within the decade. [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. I feel honored people are still talking about it, 25 years later. Third and three. He left in 1998 to become the general manager of the expansion era Cleveland Browns. "The Catch" - January 10, 1982 Before "The Catch" After the workout was over, Walsh was impressed. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. One of the most dramatic plays in NFL history took place 35 years ago. 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. 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. You get it from somewhere.. [30] He had three children with Stone: a daughter, Casey, and two sons, Riley and Mac. However, Solomon, as Montanas intended receiver, was covered by the Cowboys. Another quarterback might not have artfully lobbed his pass high into the end zone the way Montana did. Tag Lamar Jackson? Turk later joins David in watching the game. The legendary moment that changed the 49ers and San Francisco sports' fortunes forever. Being fairly tall himself, at 6-foot 4-inches (193 cm) tall, Clark was able to use all of his length to jump and grab the ball with the tips of his fingers completing one of the most memorable plays in NFL history. "I don't know for sure. [20] They moved to Santa Cruz. 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.. 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 . (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 . 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. 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. 2 on the "NFL 100 Greatest" ranking of the top 100 plays of all time. 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. However, Clark leaped as high as he could only to get his fingertips on the ball. On Sunday, Clark celebrated his 60th birthday. 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. Thats because Clarks discovery came about by accident. The statue features two life-size figures, Montana with his arms in the air celebrating the touchdown and, 23 yards away, Clark leaping to make The Catch. 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. Watch Deebo Samuel's performance at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. 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. Your email address will not be published. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin has several contracts and extensions to weigh as Cincinnati looks to stay a Super Bowl favorite in 2023, and he's been unwilling to give a concrete answer on running back Joe Mixon's future. Wrote Gergen in The Sporting News: Solomon broke for the flag but was covered. 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. Clark built his restaurant, Clark's By The Bay, the year he retired and decorated it with sports memorabilia including The Catch. CNN Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark died Monday at age 61 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. 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. Solomon caught a quick sprintout pass from Montana for an 8-yard score. Their record improved, as did Montana and Clark, in 1980, going 6-10. One minute into the fourth quarter, Septin kicked a 22-yard field goal that cut the scoring difference down to 1 point at 2120. If that doesnt work, then keep rolling, you can run in if it's open. The Philadelphia Eagles have promoted quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator and hired Sean Desai as defensive coordinator. ", "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.". 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. A 22-year-old rookie free agent, Walls had led the NFL in interceptions that season with 11 a mark that went unmatched for 40 years until Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs did it this season. Later, in the locker room, he expressed his amazement at how high Clark had jumped. Five seasons after The Catch, Clark took a job in the 49ers' front office, where he won three more rings. In retirement, Clark expressed remorse about the end of Candlestick Park, saying that "It was a dump [but] it was our dump, so we could talk bad about it, but we didn't want anybody else to talk bad about it. 10 teams that could have interest, and how much cash he could get. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Walsh invited the receiver to come along and catch passes for his roommate. What was Clark's cause of death? 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. 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]. An All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Clark was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, in March of 2017. Except this time Montana, sprinting right, away from dominant Cowboys pass rusher Harvey Martin, faced a decision. New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen spoke to the media on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, updating reporters on contract negotiations with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. [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. On October 21, 2018, the 49ers unveiled a statue outside Levi's Stadium depicting The Catch. He also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and won an additional Super Bowl in 1984. 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. [18] Clark finished the game with eight receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. And then Dwight Clark might not have made The Catch. The San Francisco 49ers defense is the Nickelodeon MVP of Week 13, 2022. But none more important than Dwight Clarks demonstration of skill on January 10, 1982, in an event commonly known as The Catch.. As such, the Cowboys were able to cover Solomon perfectly. I love him and will miss him terribly. San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark passed away Monday at the age of 61, his family confirmed. And I encourage the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL to continue working together in their efforts to make the game of football safer, especially as it relates to head trauma. And Storey looked at the back of his camera to see if he captured the moment, right? The 49ers had another chance to score before halftime when they recovered a fumbled punt on the Dallas 42. The touchdown, of course, propelled the 49ers to a 28-27 victory over Dallas in the NFC Championship Game. Clark had plans to play a round of golf and was headed out to play when he answered the phone. 49ers: 30 years ago, photographer caught The Catch, SF 49ERS DWIGHT CLARK MAKING " THE CATCH " 49ERS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS, 10 JAN82, 1981 NFC championship game in San Francisco. After forcing a Dallas punt, Montana threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Clark to retake the lead, 1410. And now we come to a catch that truly changed the game of football forever. New general manager Ran Carthon pushed back against this notion Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. Bill Walsh, the new 49ers coach, visited Clemson in 1979 to take a close look at Clarks roommate Steve Fuller. I just dont think I would change anything.? Making matters worse, the pass rush of the Cowboys collapsed the 49ers' offensive line. 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. Two weeks later, they beat Cincinnati to win their first Super Bowl title and launch an incomparable stretch of five championships in 14 seasons. The ensuing extra point by kicker Ray Wersching gave the 49ers a 2827 lead. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. 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. Local Dallas radio station KRLD also provided their own broadcast, as they did for all Cowboys games, with Verne Lundquist and Brad Sham providing the play-by-play and color respectively. 1 pick, 49ers figuring out how to take next step in Super Bowl quest, Ideal landing spots for the NFL's top 50 free agents: Here's where each player fits best, From Baroque to the big game: The fine art of the NFL playoffs, Where could Derek Carr land now? diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Coincidentally, 40-plus years later, the same teams will play on CBS this Sunday in an NFC Wild-Card Game. "I thought of throwing it away, Montana said. Now, Gergen wrote of the play, Montana was throwing the most significant pass in 49er annals toward Clark. As for the height of the catch, Montana has said that he didn't feel that he threw the ball very high. Too little, too late. Apr 14, 2015. It's like a championship fight, like Snipes knocking down Holmes. After "The Catch", the 49ers went on to win Super Bowl XVI 2621 over the Cincinnati Bengals. [34][35] At the time of his death, Clark lived in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife Kelly. He was Executive Vice President and Director of Football Operations from 1999 to 2001. Barnwell forecasts offseason moves for all 32 NFL teams, Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore, Covered Rams for nine years for stlouisrams.com, Previously covered University of Missouri football, Member of Pro Football Writers of America. To his credit, when he did catch the ball, he made it count and averaged 18.8 yards per catch. [11], On March 19, 2017, Clark announced that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. After suffering through several losses early on in the 1981 season, the Montana-led 49ers cruised straight into the playoffs with an impressive record. 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. It was supposed to be a pass to Freddie Solomon, who scored on the play earlier in the game. With Brock Purdy and Trey Lance coming off injuries, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch didn't rule out adding a veteran signal-caller this offseason. 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. New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, a Bay Area native who ultimately grew up idolizing Montana on his way to his own successful NFL career including seven Super Bowl wins, attended the game as a four-year-old and aspired to become a 49er.[7]. On August 5, 2007, The Best Damn Sports Show Period did a special show commemorating the top 50 amazing sports catches of all time. This was a team, Joe Gergen wrote in The Sporting News, that bypassed mediocrity. 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. I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched. So you just kind of shake it off. He said he suspected numerous concussions during his playing days contributed to his disease. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family.". 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. 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. His senior season, he hauled in an amazingly few number of receptions at 11. 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark delivers a go-ahead touchdown in the 1981 NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, ranks No. Future Hall of Fame DB Ronnie Lott was flagged twice for crucial pass interference calls that extended Cowboys drives. He caught 80 passes including eight touchdowns in 1980 from quarterbacks Steve DeBerg and Joe Montana. But they not only talk about it, they pass it down through the generations. 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. His classic shot shows Clark high in the air, stretching skyward to corral the pass as Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls watches helplessly. 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. "[18], Clark died of the disease on June 4, 2018. This article has all the answers that you need. Weeks later, the 49ers drafted Clark in the 10th of 12 rounds, pairing him with their third-round quarterback from Notre Dame. The Catch was the game-winning touchdown reception in the 1981 NFC Championship Game played between the Dallas Cowboys and the eventual Super Bowl XVI champion San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on January 10, 1982, as part of the 1981-82 NFL playoffs. [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. 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. This is a carousel. [32] He stated that he believed he developed ALS as a result of playing football; he suffered three concussions during his playing career. 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. 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. "For almost four decades, he served as a charismatic ambassador for our team and the Bay Area. The Cowboys had Solomon covered. Those two calls added up to 10 points, Lott noted in The Sporting News. After calling a timeout, White took the first down snap and was sacked by Lawrence Pillers, fumbling in the process. Thats because Clark was never a featured receiver at Clemson. And then Storey might not have snapped The Photo. After a couple of early-season losses in 1981, San Francisco, with Montana in charge, cruised into the playoffs with a 13-3 record, which included a 45-14 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the year. In the second quarter, Clark managed to catch a 20-yard touchdown pass from Joe Montana that provided the 49ers with a slight 14-10 lead. The Catch is widely regarded as one of the most memorable events in NFL history. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle shared his most memorable moments of the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. This is championship football. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease. After nine seasons with the 49ers, Clark retired following the 1987 season. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. 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. 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 NFL has many notable moments. After retiring Dwight Clark remained a part of the 49ers organization working as an executive in the front office. New offseason, old question: What will 49ers do at quarterback? Local San Francisco radio station KCBS also provided their own broadcast, as they did for all 49ers games, with Don Klein and Wayne Walker providing the play-by-play and color respectively. As a freshman, he was moved to wide receiver, because the team had recruited four other quarterbacks. 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. Touchdown! Montana threw three interceptions, and Niners backs fumbled three times. 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.". 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. Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 17 matchup vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. 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. The game was not over, however, and the Cowboys quarterback Danny White had 51 seconds following a Wersching squib kick to move the ball 75 yards. After the workout finished, Walsh was impressed with Clarks ability. Initially serving Cajun food, it later switched to prime rib and seafood. 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 their first season under Walsh, Montana and Clarks rookie year, San Fran was 2-14. Storey suspected he had a good shot of The Catch, but he didn't know with certainty for several hours. Jim Stuckey recovered for the 49ers and the rest is history. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw joined 'NFL Now' ahead of the 49ers Divisional Round game vs. the Dallas Cowboys to preview the playoff matchup. Sports enterprise reporter Ron Kroichick has worked at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1995, when he came from The Sacramento Bee. The play saw Joe Montana find Dwight Clark for the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Championship Game played at Candlestick Park. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Suffice it to say, expectations werent exactly high ahead of the 1981 season. At Clemson, he wore #30, posting only 33 catches for 571 yards, 3 touchdowns and a 17.3-yard average (seventh in school history). 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. Because Solomon, the first option, was covered, Montana was supposed to look to Clark as his second option. The Catch is widely regarded as one of the greatest plays in National Football League (NFL) history. He also won another Super Bowl in 1984. 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. In 2021, Kroichick earned an Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 award for his feature on Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee conquering cancer. Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn shared the story of how 49ers legend Joe Perry became the first Black NFL MVP. Around the NFL Writer San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark passed away Monday at the age of 61, his family confirmed. Reddit . 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. 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. Clark spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the 49ers, ranking third and fourth in franchise history in receiving yards (6,750) and receptions (506), respectively. 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. We won't call this on fourth down. The rest is history, as Montana-to-Clark became one of the greatest connections in NFL lore. 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 . "[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]. 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark delivers a go-ahead touchdown in the 1981 NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, ranks No. 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. He was second on the team with 11 receptions for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a career-high 68-yard touchdown catch against the University of Maryland that helped the Tigers win the ACC Championship. Clark was not the intended receiver on the play call. He was third on the team with 17 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! 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