THE CATCH

If you lived in the Bay Area or were a football fan back in the 1980s, you most likely remember "The Catch". The San Francisco Forty-Niners were on the verge of playing in their first Super Bowl in 1982. Only the despised Dallas Cowboys stood in the way of that milestone. Dwight Clark, number 87, vaulted higher in the end zone than anyone (even him) thought possible as he caught the touchdown pass from quarterback, Joe Montana.

That leaping grab is permanently etched in the minds of Niner fans the world over. And it will forever be known simply as "The Catch". More thoughts on wide receiver Dwight Clark a bit later.

First, my father & I watched that game together. My son was only 5 years old so I'm guessing my mom took him somewhere fun leaving us diehard fans to watch that momentous game with no distractions. Years before my father had made up a ritual believing that his knit 49er hat had special powers that helped his cherished team win big games. We always laid our hats reverently beside us since we didn't want to waste their limited abilities unless it was absolutely necessary. Over the years we all purchased Niner ski caps to continue the tradition.

That Sunday, January 10, 1982, will live forever in 49er fanatics memories. Dwight Clark came down in the back of the end zone with the ball putting the Niners ahead! The defense held the Cowboys scoreless & our beloved team went on to win the first of five Super Bowl victories! We yelled, screamed, jumped up & down while wearing our enchanted hats. It was truly magical & sharing it with my father was a moment that I will always treasure.

We have been blessed in the Bay Area to have extremely successful professional sports teams - the Oakland Athletics, the Oakland Raiders (Boo, I hate them!), the San Francisco Giants & currently the Golden State Warriors. But I think if there was one iconic image of Bay Area sports, it would be Dwight Clark stretching toward the heavens to gracefully grasp that football known as "The Catch".

Dwight Clark was a regular guy. During his 49er career, we had the pleasure of attending autograph sessions featuring Dwight three times. He always smiled & graciously signed each autograph as he interacted with the fans. The final session was at a local Wendy's hamburger joint where he signed my copy of Sports Illustrated that showcased Dwight Clark on the cover just as his hands enveloped the football. It is probably my most prized possession.

About three years ago Dwight Clark was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. That is a debilitating disease that took his ability to walk & otherwise ravished his body but it didn't dampen his spirit. On June 4, 2018, Dwight Clark died at his home in Montana at age 61.

There is a documentary titled "Letters to 87" now showing on our local sports networks. It includes letters from fans who reminisce about "The Catch" & comments from his teammates who all gathered at his bedside about a month prior to his death to share their memories & tell stories about this San Francisco legend. You can probably find it online, too, but be warned & have lots of tissues handy. It's a tearjerker.

Watching "Letters to 87" brought back so many football memories that I shared with my father but none was more memorable than that iconic moment in history forever known as "The Catch". Joe Montana said that Dwight was always fond of reminding him they don't call it "The Throw".

My recollections are bittersweet right now. Dwight Clark was my favorite Forty-Niner ever but he died way too young from a terrible disease. He was an unlikely star receiver on a championship team. He always had time for the fans & seemed genuinely happy to have enjoyed the success that he did.

My father died not quite 8 weeks after Dwight. Although my dad was almost 90 & we knew his health was far from great, there just doesn't seem to be a good time to lose your last parent. I remember mentioning Dwight Clark's passing to my dad & we briefly discussed "The Catch" one last time. Now, they are both gone but rest assured they will live on in my memories for the remainder of my life.