Image Credit: ABC7
This past Wednesday, August 7, the San Francisco 49ers celebrated Dwight Clark Day during training camp. Fans were able to attend the open practice and the day was full of giveaways, promotions, and digital tributes to honor the late, great wide receiver. Clark lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last June, but his legacy will live on forever amongst the Faithful and football fans alike. His most memorable moment of course was dubbed the “The Catch,” in which he caught a touchdown pass from Joe Montana in the waning seconds of the 1981 NFC Championship Game. The victory sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in franchise history, eventually winning it all. In conjunction with Dwight Clark Day, longtime 49ers beat reporter Matt Maiocco released his newest book, Letters to 87. The book is a collection of letters from fans, photos, and essays from key members of the 49ers organization that revisit “The Catch” and pay homage to the man himself. So, in honor of Clark and the release of Letters to 87, here is a poetic tribute to him, that juuuuuust missed making the final cut for the collection!
There were 58 seconds left with a season on the line
You lined up wide right and knew that it was time
Montana rolled right and you ran your route
You seemed to know exactly what this moment was all about
The ball was thrown, nice and high
You leapt up and grabbed it, straight from the sky
The San Francisco dynasty was just beginning
While the Landry era in Dallas was steadily ending
I was not born as yet to see the play live
But seven years later in the same city I would arrive
I heard legends of “The Catch,” they were almost like hymns
But God Bless the Sabols for putting it on NFL Films
It was 1981 and you created an iconic 49er moment
Which culminated in a Super Bowl championship bestowment
It was the first of many, but you were crucial for its start
Who knew you’d make your way into so many Faithful hearts
As a player and an individual, few were finer
Dwight Clark is your name, and you’ll live on, forever a 49er
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