October 2017
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF) notes that the San Francisco 49ers honored one of our 2011 Inductees, Dwight Clark on Sunday, October 22, 2017.
The 49ers held “Dwight Clark Day” on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Levi’s Stadium. In the words of former SF 49ers President Carmen Policy, “it was amazingly special, but at the same time amazingly bittersweet.”
Clark announced in March 2017 that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
On Sunday (10/22), over thirty members of the 1981 Super Bowl winning team reunited to pay tribute to wide receiver Clark. Every 49er fan from that era remembers his most memorable touchdown in the 1981 NFC Championship Game in January 1982 against the Dallas Cowboys. In the final minute of play Clark leapt and caught a 6-year pass from Joe Montana to give the 49ers a 28-27 victory and advance them to Super Bowl XVI, the franchise’s first Super Bowl. Clark’s play will forever be remembered as “The Catch”.
Clark in his half-time speech at Levi’s Stadium highlighted and thanked former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, who stood next to Clark, for all his continuing support and help. He also thanked the current ownership of the 49ers who flew in Clark’s former teammates for “Dwight Clark Day”.
Clark acknowledged many of his former teammates who remain there for him now – supporting and helping him through what only can be described as a tortuous disease. A disease that Dwight Clark is valiantly fighting each and every day with the help and aid of his incredible family and his 49er teammates.
BASHOF wishes the very best for Dwight and his family in his struggles going forward.
Watch highlights from “Dwight Clark Day” on Sunday, October 22, 2017
ABOUT DWIGHT CLARK
Dwight Clark is best known for “The Catch,” a touchdown pass from Joe Montana that beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Championship Game. In his nine year career with the 49ers, he caught 506 passes for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was only the 20th receiver in NFL history to have 500 career receptions. Clark was also very popular with 49er fans, not just for his on-field accomplishments but for his outgoing personality. He was involved with all five 49ers Super Bowl championships, the first two as a player and the last three as a team executive. His uniform number, 87, was retired by the 49ers in 1988. He is a member of the 49ers Hall of Fame.
Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
