The San Francisco 49ers are one of the iconic franchises not just in the NFL, but in sports and some of the legendary names in the NFL have played for this organization. First, it was once owned by Mr. Eddie Debartolo or better known as “Mr. D” by his players, they were coached by a legend in Bill Walsh and we can go down the list and name some of the players that have put on the red, white and gold. Jerry Rice, arguably one of the greatest receivers and players, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley and then, you had Dwight Clark. Today, Dwight lost his battle with ALS at the age of 61.
Dwight Clark is well known for one of the most iconic moments in NFL history known as “the catch” and this took place back in 1981 in the NFC Championship game when the 49ers took on the Dallas Cowboys for a trip to the Super Bowl. It came down to the final 58 seconds and Montana being the clutch quarterback that he was found a way to roll out to the right side of the pocket and threw up and Dwight made the catch to help put the 49ers ahead and into the Super Bowl where they would go on to win their first championship as a franchise. Dwight was a 6’4 wide receiver who played his college football at Clemson University and he was drafted in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played 8 seasons with the 49ers and retired in 1987 after winning two Super Bowls with the team. He was a two-time pro bowler and he was selected to two all-pro teams.
He finished his career with 506 career receptions, 6,750 receiving yards and 48 receiving touchdowns. His number 87 was retired by the 49ers and he is also a member of the Clemson hall of fame. Our league has lost one of the legends and I’d like to extend my prayers and condolences to his family, his former teammates and the 49ers organization.
