In very sad news today, Dwight Clark passed away in Montana at his ranch from ALS at the age of 61. The man who brought to life one of the most iconic moments in all of sports, gone at far too young an age. His catch literally changed the course of the 49ers, as it ushered the team to their first Super Bowl appearance, and ended an awful day for the Niners as they outgained Dallas 400 to 250 but turned the ball over 6 times.
It erased the frustration of die-hard fans who suffered through the ’70-’71, and ’72 playoff losses to the Cowboys, erased the 59-14 shellacking of the Niners by Dallas the year before. And it started the reign of the Niners as the team of the ’80s.
In his 9 year career, he set many of the 49er receiving records that were soon to be smashed by Jerry Rice.
Receiving TDs: 48
Not earthshaking numbers, but a solid career that included clutch catch after clutch catch. Saw him play many games at the Stick, including Joe’s coming out party in the greatest comeback game in 1980 where Clark had 6 catches for 155 yards, including a 71 yard TD strike.
I could go on and on re: Clark’s impact on the local and national football scene, and how genuinely nice he was when I bumped into he and Joe at the Hillsdale mall a few months after SB XVI, but he will be terribly missed by 49er fans, and football fans everywhere.
This is the last time I saw him. The Farewell Candlestick flag football game.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Chuck- That was a nice post and very true. The 81 49ers took away years of misery and hearbreak. Dwight Clark was a major ;part of that. I can still feel what it was like the minute he caught that pass and I know I always will be able to feel it. It is the exact same feeling that the 2010 Giants gave me when we recorded the last out. Priceless.
The game was fixed in favor of “America’s Team”. The Niners had the lead in the 2nd half. With the ball at midfield, the Boys went deep to Preston Pearson. Watch the film! Pearson pushed off but rookie Ronnie Lott got called for DPI while getting the INT and returning it right back to midfield. Cowboys TD! Gift 7 points (Vegas was proud) to the Boys. Ripoff, but all things that end well..
Oh well, we all gotta go and Dwight, you shone! Again, RIP!
RIP DC 😦
Tom Brady was an admirer and 9er Fan as well –
https://tinyurl.com/yb7m8kpm
Back when Dwight played QB’s weren’t coddled , money wasn’t king and it wasn’t a pass first league ! In spite of that Clark still scored a TD every other game and was good for setting up another every game ! Which WR today can say that ?
What a loss to the whole niner family . RIP
Tragic ending for him, very sad. So happy I got to see him and the tribute they gave him at Levi, very touching to see Eddie D and so many old teammates who came out for him.
Looks like we just signed another safety. JJ Wilcox
Wilcox is just a body at this point. he’s a journeyman. He may stick though. He has shown some talent.
I was at that flag football game also with my son, and yes DC was one of the greats to put the Niners in the news, truly a humble dude
I can honestly say that Eddie and ‘His Guys’ shaped my football loyalties at a time when my family was just starting.
I’ve used his Family approach to show my kids just what teamwork, and dedication, is all about.
Can’t say enough for Eddie and what he accomplished in SF.
Treat people the right way and, you’ll have friends forever.
Not something that can be said for any other NFL Owner IMO.
Class Act Mr D.
I share your pain with the passing of DC.
A moment in time that will live on forever with that single Catch.
RIP DC….
So much for JJ. He signed with the Jets.
The SI article on Dwight Clark . . . a tuogh read.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/05/03/dwight-clark-als-49ers-reunion-eddie-debartolo
New thread is up.