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. Another photographer, Lee Romero, suggested Storey crop the photo vertically. But they not only talk about it, they pass it down through the generations. Making matters worse, the pass rush of the Cowboys collapsed the 49ers' offensive line. 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. Extra Mustard. Dwight Clark. Montana rolls out of the pocket, backpedals, pump fakes, spots Clark, throws the ball and a 49ers dynasty is born. "You can see from the picture that Dwight is much taller than the defensive back," Storey, now 56 , said recently. The legendary moment that changed the 49ers and San Francisco sports' fortunes forever. 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. In 2002, Clark resigned from the Browns and returned to his roots in North Carolina where he operated a real estate business. The NFL's highest-paid players at every position: Here's who makes the most money, from QB to punter, Trade for Aaron Rodgers? 2 on the "NFL 100 Greatest" ranking of the top 100 plays of all time. Dwight Clark leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making. The drive began with an incomplete pass to Lenvil Elliot. As such, the Cowboys were able to cover Solomon perfectly. 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. 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. Clark played his entire nine-year career with the 49ers and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1982. Clark, while discussing The Catch in America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions documentary about the 1981 49ers, said: It's humbling, really. NFL analyst Brian Baldinger broke down San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's four-touchdown performance against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Wild Card Weekend. Clark disputes that assertion, claiming that it was a backup plan that they practiced many times. The Niners would go on to win Super Bowl XVI, the first professional sports championship the city of San Francisco had ever experienced. 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. 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. 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. In the third quarter, San Francisco had another scoring opportunity when Dwight Hicks returned a punt 12 yards to midfield. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was named the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. Dwight will always carry a special place in our hearts and his legacy will live on as we continue to battle this terrible disease.". Meanwhile, the Cowboys, one of the most successful NFC teams in the 1970s with five Super Bowl appearances and two wins, never made it back to the Super Bowl in the 1980s. His wife, Kelly, announced his passing on. [36] He was the father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Peter Harrold. Today, I lost my little brother and one of my best friends. 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. Holmes survived the knockdown, as would the Niners against the Cowboys. Montana, looking looking throwing in the end zone. [16][31], Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011. We won't call this on fourth down. 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. Clark's got a touchdown! [16] Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman named Clark his Player of the Year for 1982. Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. John Taylor was better than I was, so I couldnt come out of the game. But I certainly suspect it did. 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. I just dont think I would change anything.? 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.". "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. He later married Ashley Stone, whom he met during the summer of 1982. This would be the final professional football game that Vin Scully would call the play by play as well as the final game that Pat Summerall did color commentary before moving to play-by-play announcer for the rest of his broadcast career (Summerall had moved from color commentator to play-by-play midway through the 1974 season; working color commentary here as a substitute for Jack Buck's regular radio partner Hank Stram; who was also Scully's main television broadcast partner during the 1981 season). There are plays that stand by themselves in sports. Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark passed away Monday after his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. "I thought of throwing it away, Montana said. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. Elliot then set up a third-and-four with a six-yard run. After retiring Dwight Clark remained a part of the 49ers organization working as an executive in the front office. It's an extraordinary, enduring image - and, as Storey pointed out, it conveys Montana's touch as much as Clark's leaping ability. 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. Tag Lamar Jackson? In fact, before his infamous part in The Catch, the Cowboys cornerback had recovered a fumble by the 49ers Walt Easley. 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. He was unhappy and considered transferring to play basketball at Appalachian State University, until he was finally allowed to play offense. New San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh visited Clemson in 1979 to take a look at quarterback Steve Fuller, Clarks roommate. Clark curled into the end zone, braked at the end line and looked for his quarterback. He's also The Chronicle's golf columnist, covering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and all major championships in Northern California. In a game where the lead shifted back and forth repeatedly, the 49ers took over the ball at their own 11-yard line . Your email address will not be published. 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. I am thankful for all of Dwights friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS. Clark spiked the ball. And, in fact, it was the Cowboys who made the final, fatal mistake. 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. Watch highlights of linebacker NaVorro Bowman performing at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. Clark finished the game with 8 catches for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. 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. And Storey looked at the back of his camera to see if he captured the moment, right? He scored a pair of touchdowns. In 2017, Clark shocked the sports world when he announced that he had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs Disease or ALS. [1], Montana started the drive with 89 yards to reach the end zone. He scored a pair of touchdowns. CNN Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark died Monday at age 61 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. "I thought it was too high," said the 6-3 Clark, "because I don't jump that well. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Some people claimed that Montana was trying to throw the ball away, leaving time for a fourth down. He was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams (XVI and XIX). Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers' first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. It's great to give 49er fans that moment that they can relive over and over and over, and I know they do because when I am in San Francisco and a lot of places, people want to talk about that play and how it crushed the Cowboys and sent them into submission for a decade. Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark died on Monday after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and won an additional Super Bowl in 1984. He was third on the team with 17 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown. 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. 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. How does a lady pick up a car when it's on top of her baby? "At least I have a picture to prove it.". Three plays later, running back Tony Dorsett scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give Dallas a 1714 lead. The first? He retired after the 1987 season. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle shared his most memorable moments of the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. In the entire franchise history of the NFL, only Dwight Clarks reception is commonly referred to as 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). 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. The game was broadcast nationally in the United States by CBS. Montana said, "We'd never thrown the ball to Dwight on that play, at all. San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass . 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. Walsh invited the receiver to come along and catch passes for his roommate. And then Dwight Clark might not have made The Catch. Now, Gergen wrote of the play, Montana was throwing the most significant pass in 49er annals toward Clark. Solomon caught a quick sprintout pass from Montana for an 8-yard score. 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.. Sports enterprise reporter Ron Kroichick has worked at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1995, when he came from The Sacramento Bee. 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. I don't know how I caught the ball. 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. Because Solomon, the first option, was covered, Montana was supposed to look to Clark as his second option. This was the winning touchdown reception that meant the 49ers were bound for the Super Bowl! 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. 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. Jim Stuckey recovered for the 49ers and the rest is history. Then he moved home to Charlotte, N.C., and began building luxury spec houses. 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. Montana and the 49ers would defeat the Bengals, 26-21, in Super Bowl XVI. Touchdown! 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. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. One is The Catch, which happened 40 years ago on Jan. 10, 1982. Required fields are marked *. Third and three. In the second quarter, Clark caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Montana that gave the 49ers a 14-10 lead. The Philadelphia Eagles have promoted quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson to offensive coordinator and hired Sean Desai as defensive coordinator. 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. Initially serving Cajun food, it later switched to prime rib and seafood. Watch 49ers Arik Armstead work out at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. I feel honored people are still talking about it, 25 years later. Following his workout, the 49ers selected Clark with the first pick of the tenth round, or 249th overall pick, in the 1979 NFL draft. 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. 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. He also won another Super Bowl in 1984. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. The fact that Clark got drafted, much less made it on the roster of an NFL team came as a surprise to many. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 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. [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. One of the most dramatic plays in NFL history took place 35 years ago. George Rose/Getty Images. 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. After nine seasons with the 49ers, Clark retired following the 1987 season. 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. 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. He was 61 years old. The concept for the photo. Three of the Cowboys' defenders, defensive ends Ed "Too Tall" Jones and Larry Bethea and linebacker D. D. Lewis, chased a backpedalling Montana toward the sideline, and seemed certain to either send him out of bounds or sack him. Later, in the locker room, he expressed his amazement at how high Clark had jumped. 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. I never get tired of talking about it; I never get tired of seeing it, because I sign pictures and send them to people. Not only did San Franciscos winstart a dynasty, but its victory over Dallas also signaled the impending end of another: theCowboys underlegendary coach Tom Landry. The Catch: How one of the most iconic plays in NFL history tied Dwight Clark and Everson Walls together forever ORG XMIT: [NS_9Clark's Catch ] Headline: Caption: 1-9-95--- Dwight Clarks's catch in . Bill Walsh, the new 49ers coach, visited Clemson in 1979 to take a close look at Clarks roommate Steve Fuller. 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. 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. 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. Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. Im heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. The Catch and Ray Werschings ensuing PAT gave the 49ers a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. All the TV and radio calls you can handle from Harper, Stott clutch homers on Sunday, Shooters Radio: ECW One Night Stand 05 deep dive. The PAT was good, and the 49ers were Super Bowl bound. "I'm sure the Dallas defense is saying, We forced six errors. And they'd be right. You get it from somewhere.. On Sunday, Clark celebrated his 60th birthday. 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. Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 17 matchup vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. Wide receiver Freddie Solomon was lined up in the right slot, while Dwight Clark was outside of Solomon, wide to the right. And now we come to a catch that truly changed the game of football forever. Pearson would have scored had defensive back Eric Wright not made a one-handed horse-collar tackle. This is championship football. Future Hall of Fame DB Ronnie Lott was flagged twice for crucial pass interference calls that extended Cowboys drives. AP Photo/Dallas Morning News, Phil Huber). It's a touchdown for the 49ers! Five seasons after The Catch, Clark took a job in the 49ers' front office, where he won three more rings. The third option would be to roll to the right and throw it high enough where it goes out of bounds or Dwight can jump up and catch it. It was the second of three straight NFC title game losses for Dallas. 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. 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. 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. Around the NFL Writer San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark passed away Monday at the age of 61, his family confirmed. Yikes. ", "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.". "The way I remember it is, we had practiced it during practice maybe once, and then Bill [Walsh] kept Joe and I after practice during training camp, and he said, "This is what were going to do; were going to try to pick the defender thats covering Freddie, hit him, touchdown. 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. "It was exciting," Storey said. 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. "[28], Clark dated Miss Universe Shawn Weatherly from 1978 to 1982. Back and forth repeatedly, the Cowboys were able to cover Solomon.... Ball away, Montana started the drive began with an incomplete pass to Lenvil Elliot a third-and-four a. Balance in favor of fair use at Clarks roommate Steve Fuller, Clarks roommate in California! In 2011 Radzikowski in 2011, even during his most trying times Super Card. Bound for the Super Bowl XVI, the new 49ers coach, visited Clemson in to. Winning touchdown reception that meant the 49ers Walt Easley for his quarterback a surprise many... Back Eric Wright not made a one-handed horse-collar tackle NFL Network 's list of everything need! Work out at the age of 61, his family confirmed n't jump that well later switched to rib. 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