Dwight Clark

The Hands That Changed NFL History

Some players make great catches, but only a few make catches that define a franchise and a generation of football fans. Dwight Clark was one of those rare players. A two-time Super Bowl champion and the owner of one of the most iconic plays in NFL history, Clark’s name is forever linked to the San Francisco 49ers’ rise to dominance in the 1980s. More than just a receiver, Clark was a team leader, a fan favorite, and a key piece of one of the greatest dynasties in football history.

Best known for "The Catch," his legendary leaping grab in the 1981 NFC Championship Game, Clark helped launch the 49ers' dynasty and cemented himself as one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. But his career was about more than one play—Clark was one of Joe Montana’s most trusted targets, a two-time Pro Bowler, and a model of consistency and clutch performances.

Even after his playing days ended, Clark remained a pillar of the 49ers organization, embodying the team’s spirit and legacy. His impact on the game, the franchise, and football fans will never be forgotten.

The Numbers Behind the Legacy

Dwight Clark's career statistics reflect his consistent excellence and reliability as one of Joe Montana’s go-to targets:

• 9 NFL seasons (1979-1987), all with the San Francisco 49ers
• 2× Super Bowl Champion (XVI, XIX)
• 2× Pro Bowler (1981, 1982)
• 1981 NFL Receptions Leader (85 catches)
• 506 career receptions
• 6,750 receiving yards
• 48 career touchdowns
• 49ers Hall of Fame Inductee
• #87 jersey retired by the San Francisco 49ers

While these numbers are impressive, Dwight Clark’s true greatness wasn’t measured in stats—it was measured in moments. Few players in NFL history have a signature moment as legendary as "The Catch", and even fewer have left behind such a lasting impact on an entire franchise.

From College Backup to NFL Star

Clark’s path to NFL stardom was far from conventional. Coming out of Clemson University, Clark was far from a household name—in fact, he wasn’t even the primary receiver on his own team. But fate had a different plan.

In 1979, when Bill Walsh was scouting quarterback Steve Fuller at Clemson, he asked Fuller to bring a receiver along to catch passes. That receiver? Dwight Clark.

Walsh, a master at identifying talent, immediately saw something special in Clark. Despite only 33 career receptions in college, the 49ers took a chance and drafted him in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft. It turned out to be one of the most brilliant draft steals in franchise history.

"The Catch" – A Play That Changed the NFL Forever

January 10, 1982. Candlestick Park. NFC Championship Game. The San Francisco 49ers vs. the Dallas Cowboys, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Trailing 27-21 with less than a minute remaining, Joe Montana rolled out to his right, under pressure from Dallas defenders. Just before being hit, he lofted a high pass to the back of the end zone, seemingly too high for any receiver to catch.

But Dwight Clark soared into the air, extending his full 6-foot-4 frame, snatching the ball with his fingertips, and landing just inside the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.

"The Catch" wasn't just a touchdown—it was the moment that changed the trajectory of the 49ers forever.

• It launched the 49ers’ dynasty, as they went on to win five Super Bowls in 14 seasons.
• It dethroned the Cowboys, who had dominated the NFC for over a decade.
• It became one of the most replayed and celebrated moments in NFL history, solidifying Clark’s place in football immortality.

That play, that moment, that catch—it was more than just a score. It was the birth of San Francisco's reign as the team of the 1980s.

A Career of Consistency and Clutch Performances

While "The Catch" defined Clark’s legacy, his entire career was one of consistent production and leadership.

From 1980 to 1985, Clark was one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, leading the league in receptions in 1981 and finishing in the top 10 in receiving yards multiple times. He was a reliable target for Joe Montana, serving as one of the most important offensive weapons in Bill Walsh’s revolutionary West Coast Offense.

In Super Bowl XVI, Clark had 6 receptions for 120 yards, helping the 49ers win their first championship.

He remained a key piece of the team’s offense until his retirement in 1987, finishing his career as one of the greatest receivers in franchise history.

The Most Iconic Dwight Clark Football Cards

For collectors, Clark’s cards represent a critical piece of 49ers and NFL history:

• 1980 Topps #422 Dwight Clark Rookie Card – The must-have rookie card of a 49ers legend.
• 1982 Topps #486 Dwight Clark – Released the season after "The Catch," making it a fan-favorite issue.
• 1986 Topps #245 Dwight Clark – A classic late-career card featuring Clark in the 49ers' iconic red and gold.

A Lasting Legacy – The 49ers' Beloved Icon

After his playing days ended, Clark remained deeply involved with the 49ers organization, serving in multiple front-office roles. His love for the team, the fans, and the game never faded.

In 2017, Clark revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Despite his health battle, he remained a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and continued to connect with 49ers fans, who always held him in the highest regard.

On June 4, 2018, Dwight Clark passed away at the age of 61, but his impact on the game, the franchise, and the city of San Francisco will never fade.

The 49ers honored him by permanently retiring his #87 jersey, ensuring that no future player would ever wear the number of the man who made "The Catch."

Dwight Clark – The Man Who Made The Catch and Changed NFL History

Football history is filled with great players, but very few have a moment that truly changed the course of the game. Dwight Clark had that moment.

But his career was so much more than one play—he was a Super Bowl champion, a leader, a fan favorite, and one of the most beloved figures in 49ers history. His impact on the game transcends statistics, and his contributions to the sport will be celebrated for generations to come.

Some players make big plays. Others create legendary moments. Dwight Clark did both.

Forever a 49er. Forever a champion. Forever the man who made The Catch.