This meant Montana had to improvise. The first? 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. But the lingering image quickly became The Catch, partly because of Storey's shot and another famous photo by Sports Illustrated's Walter Iooss Jr. (which ran on the magazine's cover). The Catch was the reason for a resurgence in visitors to the city after a tough couple of years caused by lots of negative press coverage. 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. Clark died on Monday, aged 61. [17], In the 1981 NFC Championship game, on January 10, 1982, against the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers trailed 2721 with 58 seconds to play. 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. He returned to the Examiner office, processed his film, scanned the negatives - and, yes, he had a clear and dramatic shot of Clark snatching the ball out of the air. Wrote Gergen in The Sporting News: Solomon broke for the flag but was covered. 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. Holmes survived the knockdown, as would the Niners against the Cowboys. 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. Here are five things you might not know about the teams, the players, the game and, yes, The Catch, from the pages of The Sporting News: TSN ARCHIVES: Swing right option dooms Dallas. 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. 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. This dramatic win was the crown jewel of a memorable postseason in the NFL. The 1990s, however, saw a renewal of the Cowboys-49ers rivalry fueled by "The Catch" game. [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. Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn shared the story of how 49ers legend Joe Perry became the first Black NFL MVP. Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers' first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. 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. 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 49ers had another chance to score before halftime when they recovered a fumbled punt on the Dallas 42. He was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams (XVI and XIX). But Snipes? [32] He stated that he believed he developed ALS as a result of playing football; he suffered three concussions during his playing career. 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. Clark spiked the ball. The game was broadcast on CBS and the call was made by the great Vin Scully. 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. Photo by John Storey/ San Francisco Examiner/Bancroft Library. 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). Sep 20, 2019. 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]. This ended a remarkable period that saw the Cowboys play in 10 of 13 conference championship games, while Danny White, who had become Dallas' starting quarterback in 1980, drew criticism for "not being able to win the big game," despite leading the team to successful winning seasons. Late in the fourth quarter with the game in the balance and the 49ers trailing 27-21, Montana guided San Francisco down the field. Born on January 8, 1957, in Kinston, North Carolina,[6] Clark graduated from Garinger High School in Charlotte, where he played quarterback. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. "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. THIS CHANNEL IS NOT MONETIZED , FOR ENTERTAINMENT , PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY !!! Suffice it to say, expectations werent exactly high ahead of the 1981 season. Montana confirmed that he could not see the end zone through the defenders, but claims that he knew exactly where Clark would be. At Clemson, he wore #30, posting only 33 catches for 571 yards, 3 touchdowns and a 17.3-yard average (seventh in school history). Clark had plans to play a round of golf and was headed out to play when he answered the phone. But I certainly suspect it did. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! In 1988, he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame. It came at the end of a 14-play, 83-yard game-winning drive engineered by Montana. [24] He would later return to North Carolina to run his real estate business. The 49ers representative convinced Clark to skip golf and serve as Fullers receiver during the quarterbacks workout. Dwight Clark catches the ball! Apr 14, 2015. What Clark displayed during the workout was something the 49ers and no other team had seen on tape. ", "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.". [16][31], Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011. After San Francisco forced Dallas to punt on the opening drive, quarterback Joe Montana completed a 17-yard pass to Charle Young and a 24-yarder to Lenvil Elliott before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon. 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.". Montana completed two quick passes to Clark and Solomon respectively and the 49ers called a timeout with the ball on the Dallas 12. After forcing a Dallas punt, Montana threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Clark to retake the lead, 1410. Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 14 matchup vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even then, before the spate of titles, this was a transcendent moment in Bay Area sports - the 49ers had finally conquered the Cowboys. "I'm sure the Dallas defense is saying, We forced six errors. And they'd be right. Thirty years later, John Storey remains grateful it was Joe Montana scrambling to his right on that memorable January 1982 day. 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark delivers a go-ahead touchdown in the 1981 NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, ranks No. 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]. [25] Located in Redwood City, California, the restaurant was sold in 1993. The Cowboys had Solomon covered. It's an extraordinary, enduring image - and, as Storey pointed out, it conveys Montana's touch as much as Clark's leaping ability. The crowd erupted. It's a madhouse at Candlestick! (Long pause for crowd reaction) It's a madhouse at Candlestick!". Although Pete Carroll seems to want QB Geno Smith back in 2023, the Seahawks HC said Tuesday that picking at the No. And high, as the play was intended. 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. Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. 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. Montana threw three interceptions, and Niners backs fumbled three times. 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. I don't know how I caught the ball. The 49ers and Cowboys meet again this weekend in the NFL playoffs, and youll likely see and hear a lot about the iconic play. Pearson would have scored had defensive back Eric Wright not made a one-handed horse-collar tackle. 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. Dallas managed to pick up a few first downs, but were forced to punt, and White's kick gave San Francisco the ball at their own 11 with 4:54 left in the game and three timeouts. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle shared his most memorable moments of the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. He scored a pair of touchdowns. The Catch. [36] He was the father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Peter Harrold. [18] Clark finished the game with eight receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Storey recalled jostling for position as the 49ers moved toward their go-ahead touchdown. diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was named the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. 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. 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. All stats courtesy ofPro Football Reference. The game was broadcast nationally in the United States by CBS. 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. I feel honored people are still talking about it, 25 years later. The drive began with an incomplete pass to Lenvil Elliot. "I didn't realize at the time that people would keep talking about it. 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. The NFL's 2023 Hall of Fame Game will feature the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, the Hall announced Tuesday. 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. 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 . 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? 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. Despite having quite an unmemorable rookie season and catching only 18 passes, Clark managed to make his mark with his team. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. [26], Clark was the lead role in the 1993 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja. "Everybody says they were there," Storey said of The Catch. ", 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.". 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. Watch Deebo Samuel's performance at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Learn how your comment data is processed. In the game, momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams. Immortalized in. 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. Dwight Clark leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making. I may sit and think about that moment couple of times a year, and how awesome it was to be a part of that play and to be a part of the 49ers in the '80s. 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. The play kicked off an . "I will always remember Dwight the way he was -- larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade. Clark then retired after the 1987 season finished, and in 1988, the 49ers eventually retired his jersey. 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. Joe Montana. In the following season, the Cowboys reached their third straight NFC Championship Game, where they were defeated 3117 by their archrival Washington Redskins. Receiver Dwight Clark makes "The Catch" on a pass from Joe Montana that tied the game late in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys in the 1982 NFC championship game. Although it didn't play out exactly how "The Catch" did, it was just another sweet victory in early January for Clark. Following his sterling career on the field, Clark worked his way through San Francisco's front office, ultimately rising to general manager. It was just a great life. Kelly Clark. And Storey looked at the back of his camera to see if he captured the moment, right? He went on to become Director of Football Operations for the reconstituted Cleveland Browns from 1999-2002. Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023, American football player and executive (1957-2018). 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. New San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh visited Clemson in 1979 to take a look at quarterback Steve Fuller, Clarks roommate. Clark finished the game with 8 catches for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Extra Mustard. Nine and a half yards deep in the end zone! E-mail Ron Kroichick at rkroichick@sfchronicle.com. 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. -- The game will be highlighted by the unveiling of statues depicting "The Catch" outside of Levi's Stadium. 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. Three plays later, running back Tony Dorsett scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give Dallas a 1714 lead. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He retired after the 1987 season. 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.. 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. His wife . After the workout was over, Walsh was impressed. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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. 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. However, the Cowboys soon returned the favor with Danny White's interception to linebacker Bobby Leopold, and this time the 49ers converted, regaining the lead at 2117 with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Johnny Davis. 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. Dwight Clark! The Catch and Ray Werschings ensuing PAT gave the 49ers a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. There are plays that stand by themselves in sports. Whenever he caught the ball, he made it count and managed to average an impressive 18.8 yards per catch. He led the NFL in receptions (60) during the strike-shortened 1982 season and made the Pro Bowl twice, in 1981 and 1982. 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. Clark curled into the end zone, braked at the end line and looked for his quarterback. I had the flu last week and I had trouble getting my breath on that last drive. He also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1982 and won an additional Super Bowl in 1984. The skills Clark displayed throughout the workout were something that the 49ers had never seen on tape before. The Buccaneers are planning to release RB Leonard Fournette when the new league year begins on March 15, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday. 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). The Niners unveil The Catch statue outside of Levis Stadium in memory of Dwight Clark ? Here's NFL Network's list of everything you need to know for the 49ers Week 17 matchup vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. 4 Share 165 views 1 year ago 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. AP Photo/Dallas Morning News, Phil Huber). Dwight Edward Clark (January 8, 1957 - June 4, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1979 to 1987. "The San Francisco 49ers family has suffered a tremendous loss today with the passing of Dwight Clark," the team announced in a statement. [30] He had three children with Stone: a daughter, Casey, and two sons, Riley and Mac. Throughout the game, player momentum shifted equally between the two teams. 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. One minute into the fourth quarter, Septin kicked a 22-yard field goal that cut the scoring difference down to 1 point at 2120. But just then I saw Dwight getting away from the coverage.". I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched. Getty Dwight Clark Dwight Clark, the beloved wide receiver for the the San Francisco 49ers during the 1980s, died on Monday. What was Clark's cause of death? Touchdown, San Francisco, by Dwight Clark! 2 on the "NFL 100 Greatest" ranking of the top . This was the winning touchdown reception that meant the 49ers were bound for the Super Bowl! Jan. 8, 2022 Updated: Jan. 8, 2022 6:04 p.m. 5. Montana was was running out of room on the sideline. One of the most dramatic plays in NFL history took place 35 years ago. The PAT was good, and the 49ers were Super Bowl bound. 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. 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]. "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. Those two calls added up to 10 points, Lott noted in The Sporting News. Coincidentally, 40-plus years later, the same teams will play on CBS this Sunday in an NFC Wild-Card Game. The fact that Clark got drafted, much less made it on the roster of an NFL team came as a surprise to many. You get dinged and you go back in or you stay in.. Clark was not the intended receiver on the play call. With the ball in 49ers territory after a long pass to Drew Pearson, Danny White was sacked by Lawrence Pillers and fumbled. Dwight Edward Clark (January 8, 1957 June 4, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1979 to 1987. Watch 49ers Arik Armstead work out at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. Solomon caught a quick sprintout pass from Montana for an 8-yard score. 49ers legend Joe Montana joined "NFL Total Access" to discuss theteam's Week 14 matchup against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. The San Francisco 49ers defense is the Nickelodeon MVP of Week 13, 2022. "At least I have a picture to prove it.". Required fields are marked *. The NFL's highest-paid players at every position: Here's who makes the most money, from QB to punter, Trade for Aaron Rodgers? In October 2018, the 49ers unveiled a statue outside of Levis Stadium featuring Clark making his famous catch. He scored a pair of touchdowns. [1][2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Storey suspected he had a good shot of The Catch, but he didn't know with certainty for several hours. Wide receiver Freddie Solomon was lined up in the right slot, while Dwight Clark was outside of Solomon, wide to the right. The ensuing extra point by kicker Ray Wersching gave the 49ers a 2827 lead. He was unhappy and considered transferring to play basketball at Appalachian State University, until he was finally allowed to play offense. "Theres all kinds of versions of how we had practiced it, where we practiced it, when -- everybody remembers it a little bit different," Clark told the 49ers website in 2013. At 6ft 4in (1.93m), his first love was basketball, but he accepted a scholarship to play college football at Clemson University.[9][10]. 10 teams that could have interest, and how much cash he could get. The Cowboys did have a last chance for victory. Their record improved, as did Montana and Clark, in 1980, going 6-10. "Back then, you didn't know (at first) if it was sharp.". "[18], Clark died of the disease on June 4, 2018. [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 June 4, 2018, Dwight Clark died from the disease. 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. CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 100 Dwight Clark The Catch Premium High Res Photos Browse 100 dwight clark the catch stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Following this workout, Walsh selected Clark for the 49ers first pick of the tenth round (249th overall pick) in the NFL draft of 1979. Clark, while discussing The Catch in America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions documentary about the 1981 49ers, said: It's humbling, really. In a moving tribute to Clark's legacy, NFL Network's Michael Silver wrote last September that the former player and executive "carried an aura of awesomeness into his post-football existence: Handsome, charming and perpetually cheerful, the man lit up a room without acting as though he owned it. NFL Network broke down why WR Brandon Aiyuk and LB Dre Greenlaw are under-the-radar players to watch for in the NFC Championship Game. 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. If that doesnt work, then keep rolling, you can run in if it's open. I just dont think I would change anything.? That allowed the newspaper to fill its front page with the image of Clark reaching for the heavens to catch Montana's pass. Clark tallied 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards in his nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. On television, Vin Scully called the play-by-play and Hank Stram did the color commentary. It's like a championship fight, like Snipes knocking down Holmes. Before that, Walls had intercepted Montana twice. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He was 61. Kid, please, don't insult me." [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. 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. Montana said, "We'd never thrown the ball to Dwight on that play, at all. Another quarterback might not have artfully lobbed his pass high into the end zone the way Montana did. You get it from somewhere.. 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. An All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Clark was diagnosed with. 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. Two weeks later, they beat Cincinnati to win their first Super Bowl title and launch an incomparable stretch of five championships in 14 seasons. Watch Nick Bosa's performance at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. 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. San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark is known for making one of the most iconic catches during the 1981 NFC Championship game. This is because Clark was never a featured receiver at Clemson. Black NFL MVP and considered transferring to play when he answered the phone take a look at quarterback Fuller! Through the defenders, but he did n't know how I caught the ball Super teams. Two quick passes to Clark and Solomon respectively and the 49ers moved toward their go-ahead touchdown the! Become Director of Football Operations for the the San Francisco 49ers during 1981! 18.8 yards per Catch, wide to the right was made by the great Vin Scully the. 17 matchup vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Combine in Indianapolis 's NFL Network 's list everything! Memorable postseason in the NFC Championship game Championship game first two Super Bowl Championship teams you are is. That cut the scoring difference down to 1 point at 2120 chance to score before halftime when they a. For his quarterback State University, until he was a member of two Bowl! 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