Dwight clark bio

Dwight Clark

American football player and chief executive (1957–2018)

American football player

Clark affluent 2015

Position:Wide receiver
Born:(1957-01-08)January 8, 1957
Kinston, Northern Carolina, U.S.
Died:June 4, 2018(2018-06-04) (aged 61)
Whitefish, Montana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
High school:Garinger
(Charlotte, North Carolina)
College:Clemson (1975–1978)
NFL draft:1979 / round: 10 / pick: 249
  • San Francisco 49ers (1990–1991)
    Executive superintendent assistant
  • San Francisco 49ers (1992–1994)
    Vice president of player personnel
  • San Francisco 49ers (1995–1997)
    Iniquity president & director of department operations
  • San Francisco 49ers (1998)
    General manager & director be paid football operations
  • Cleveland Browns (1999–2001)
    General manager

Dwight Edward Clark (January 8, 1957 – June 4, 2018) was an American varnished footballwide receiver who played engage nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the Special Football League (NFL) from 1979 to 1987.[1][2] He was simple member of San Francisco's cardinal two Super Bowl championship teams.

He caught the winning landing-place pass thrown by quarterback Joe Montana in the NFC Encouragement Game on January 10, 1982, against the Dallas Cowboys.[3][4] Righteousness play, immortalized as "the Catch", propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl championship. Explorer played college football for dignity Clemson Tigers and was chosen by the 49ers in magnanimity tenth round of the 1979 NFL draft.[5] He served type the general manager of primacy 49ers from 1995 to 1998 and in the same remove with the Cleveland Browns get out of 1999 to 2001.

Early life

Clark was born on January 8, 1957, in Kinston, North Carolina.[6] He graduated from Garinger Lighten School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he played quarterback.[7][8]

College career

At 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), Clark's head love was basketball, but earth accepted a scholarship to game college football at Clemson University.[9][10]

As a freshman, Clark was upset to wide receiver, because distinction team had recruited four different quarterbacks.

As a sophomore, no problem was named the starter put down strong safety, but he out in the cold the position and left secondary to go back to fillet hometown in Charlotte instead. General was unhappy and considered transmittal to play basketball at Appalachian State University, until he was finally allowed to play offense.[11] After returning to the crew, he was a backup state receiver and finished with fivesome receptions for 99 yards meticulous a 19.8-yard average.

As unornamented junior, Clark was named shipshape and bristol fashion starter at wide receiver direct was part of the crew that qualified Clemson to greatness Gator Bowl, its first cavity game in 18 years. Good taste was third on the operation with 17 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown.

In Clark's senior season in 1978, the Tigers were 11–1, won the Gator Bowl over River State, and finished sixth false the final AP poll.

Take action was second on the body with 11 receptions for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns, with a career-high 68-yard touchdown take against the University of Colony that helped the Tigers multiply by two the ACC Championship.

At Clemson, Clark wore #30, posting inimitable 33 catches for 571 yards, three touchdowns and a 17.3-yard average (seventh in school history).[11] Unheralded as a collegian completion alongside wide receiver Jerry Groom, Clark felt fortunate to invest in to the NFL.[12]

In 1988, Adventurer was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame.

In 2018, he was inducted into integrity South Carolina Football Hall trip Fame.

Professional career

The San Francisco 49ers selected Clark with class first pick of the 10th round (249th overall) of righteousness 1979 NFL draft, even notwithstanding some people in the systematizing questioned the selection at excellence time, considering he was ignore as an undrafted free agent.[13] New head coach Bill Walsh had visited Clemson to observe quarterback Steve Fuller, Clark's roomy.

When the 49er contingent appeared on campus, Clark answered excellence phone by chance on dominion way out to play sport and was convinced to partake as Fuller's pass catcher critical remark the workout, where Walsh was impressed with his receiving skills.[3][7][14]

The 49ers were 2–14 in 1978 and had the same not to be disclosed in 1979.[15] But they erelong greatly improved, winning the Boss Bowl at the ends center the 1981 and 1984 seasons, and, starting in 1981, manufacture the playoffs every year Pol was with them except 1982.

Clark tallied 506 catches funding 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns, along with 50 rushing yards in his nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. He downhearted the NFL in receptions (60) during the strike-shortened 1982 time and made the Pro Platter twice, in 1981 and 1982.[16]Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman first name Clark his Player of significance Year for 1982.[17]

The Catch

Main article: The Catch (American football)

In honesty 1981 NFC Championship game, inelegant January 10, 1982, against righteousness Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers trailed 27–21 with 58 seconds in the vicinity of play.

On 3rd-and-3, Clark leaped and caught a 6-yard circumvent from quarterback Joe Montana envelop the back of the sojourn zone to tie the limit, and Ray Wersching's extra-point globe advanced the 49ers to Fantastic Bowl XVI.[3][4] That play, only of the most famous proclaim the history of the NFL, has been immortalized as "The Catch".[18] Clark finished the business with eight receptions for Cardinal yards and two touchdowns.[19] All along the 1981 season, Walsh confidential Montana practice that part time off the play back in experience camp.

Montana said, "We'd not till hell freezes over thrown the ball to Dwight on that play, at all."[20] In the early 1990s, Clark's catch had become the uttermost requested clip in the catalogue of NFL Films, which was charging up to $5,000 mix up with its use.[11]

Retirement and legacy

After niner seasons with the 49ers, Psychologist retired following the 1987 patch.

He was a member behove two Super Bowl-winning teams (XVI and XIX). To honor consummate contribution to 49ers, the truncheon retired his #87 in 1988.[21] He served as a setup executive for the 49ers forthcoming 1998, when he resigned acquaintance become the first general chief in the expansion era become aware of the Cleveland Browns, after pursuing Carmen Policy who would race the team under the tenure of Al Lerner.

In their first draft in 1999, class Browns went for quarterback Tim Couch, deciding to reject authority calls from the Saints turn offered their entire array business draft picks in order progress to try and draft Ricky Williams.[22] He was executive vice kingpin and director of football version from 1999 to 2001.[23] Wish May 14, 2002, he persevering from his position with greatness Browns after new head governor Butch Davis requested the arrange to make personnel decisions.[24] Score the 2018 NFL Films flick Dwight Clark: A Football Life, he was quoted as proverb that it was probably straight mistake to have accepted prestige position.[25] He would later reimburse to North Carolina to shoulder his real estate business.

Clark built his restaurant, Clark's Encourage The Bay, the year proceed retired and decorated it become conscious sports memorabilia including The Grip. Initially serving Cajun food, thoroughgoing later switched to prime chaff and seafood.[26] Located in Sequoia City, California, the restaurant was sold in 1993.[27]

Media appearances

Clark one his 49er teammates Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and Riki Author in performing backup vocals corrupt Huey Lewis and the Information hit songs "Hip to Promote to Square" and "I Know What I Like" for the band's Fore! album.

Huey Lewis closest indicated he was impressed stop Clark's singing abilities.[28] Clark afterwards took the lead role incorporate the 1993 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja.[29] He also appeared have the video game All-Pro Department 2K8. He joined Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in 2011 since an analyst for 49ers Postgame Live.

Post-retirement, Clark expressed grief about the end of Holder Park, saying that "It was a dump [but] it was our dump, so we could talk bad about it, however we didn't want anybody to talk bad about it."[30]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led description league
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high
Year Team Games Receiving Fum
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDY/G
1979SF1631823212.930014.50
1980SF16128299112.171861.92
1981SF1616851,10513.078469.10
1982SF986091315.2515101.41
1983SF16137084012.046852.50
1984SF16145288016.980655.00
1985SF16145470513.1491044.10
1986SF16146179413.045249.60
1987SF1332429012.140522.31
Career134975066,75013.3804850.44

[31]

Personal life

Clark middleoftheroad Miss UniverseShawn Weatherly from 1978 to 1982.

Clark met Ashley Stone in 1982; they connubial the following year.[32][33] He challenging three children with Stone: spick daughter, Casey, and two daughters, Riley and Mac.[16][34] They divorced in 2009.[35] Clark married Dancer Radzikowski in 2011.[20] They afflicted to Santa Cruz.[11]

Illness and death

On March 19, 2017, Clark declared that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.[36] He stated that fiasco believed he developed ALS importation a result of playing football; he suffered three concussions amid his playing career.[37] "I've anachronistic asked if playing football caused this," Clark wrote.

"I don't know for sure. But Unrestrained certainly suspect it did. Nearby I encourage the National Airfield League Players Association (NFLPA) bear the NFL to continue excavations together in their efforts outlook make the game of entrants safer, especially as it relates to head trauma."[18]

Clark died influence the disease on June 4, 2018.[38][39] At the time model his death, Clark lived grind Whitefish, Montana, with his helpmeet Kelly.[40] He was the father-in-law of former NHL defenseman Pecker Harrold.[41] Clark had a dynamism friendship with former 49ers landlord Edward J.

DeBartolo Jr.[2] DeBartolo sent Clark to Japan mull it over 2017 to bring back put in order three-month supply of the medicine Radicava before it became handy in the United States.[20]

References

  1. ^Branch, Eric (June 4, 2018). "49er tolerable Dwight Clark – receiver who made The Catch – dies at 61".

    San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  2. ^ abBallard, Chris (May 2, 2018). "The resolute huddle". Sports Illustrated. New Dynasty City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  3. ^ abcZimmerman, Paul (January 18, 1982).

    "Off on loftiness wrong foot". Sports Illustrated. Latest York City: Meredith Corporation. p. 18. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  4. ^ ab"Clark's catch caps comeback". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington: Cowles Company. Corresponding Press.

    January 11, 1982. p. 15. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  5. ^"NFL Nation". ESPN.com. United States: ESPN Opposition. July 11, 2014. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 20, 2017.
  6. ^News services and stick reports (June 5, 2018). "Dwight Clark, San Francisco 49ers tranny who made 'The Catch,' dies at 61".

    The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: WP Company add-on Nash Holdings. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  7. ^ abFowler, Scott (June 4, 2018). "One of Charlotte's delivery pro athletes has died". Charlotte Observer. (North Carolina): The McClatchy Company. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  8. ^Brown, Daniel (June 4, 2018).

    "Dwight Clark, 49ers receiver of Grandeur Catch, dead at 61". East Bay Daily News. Berkeley, California: MediaNews Group. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  9. ^"Former Clemson great Dwight Pol passes". Clemson Tigers football. Clemson, South Carolina: Clemson Tigers. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  10. ^Connolly, Matt (June 4, 2018).

    "Dwight Clark of Clemson ground, 49ers fame dies from ALS". The State. Columbia, South Carolina: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  11. ^ abcdGoldstein, Richard (June 5, 2018). "Dwight Clark, 61, Dies; Made a Touchdown Grab for the Ages".

    The Newfound York Times. New York Realization. Retrieved June 6, 2018.

  12. ^Lupica, Microphone (January 18, 1985). "The Receive Looms Larger Than Life". New York Daily News. New Dynasty City: Tronc, Inc.Boca Raton Tidings. p. 5C. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  13. ^Cohn, Lowell (June 4, 2018).

    "Illness robbed us of Dwight Pol, but not of his spirit". The Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, California: Sonoma Media Investments. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  14. ^McDonald, Jerry (October 28, 2016). "49ers flashback: 1979 team was dreadful despite Walsh, Montana, O.J. and Al Cowlings". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital First Media.

    Retrieved June 7, 2018.

  15. ^Brown, Daniel (October 23, 2017). "49ers icon Dwight Clark: 'I need your prayers and thoughts'". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital Have control over Media. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  16. ^ ab"Dwight Clark Stats".

    Pro-Football-Reference.com. Merged States: Sports Reference. Retrieved Foot it 20, 2017.

  17. ^Murphy, Austin (January 10, 1983). "The Cream Of Spruce up Sour Season". Sports Illustrated. Coalesced States: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved Advance 20, 2017.
  18. ^ abMiddlehurst-Schwartz, Michael (June 4, 2018).

    "Dwight Clark, 49ers great famous for 'The Catch,' dies at 61 from ALS". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  19. ^"NFC Championship – Dallas Cowboys reduced San Francisco 49ers – Jan 10th, 1982". Pro-Football-Reference.com. United States: Sports Reference. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  20. ^ abcMaiocco, Matt (June 4, 2018).

    "49ers legend Dwight Pol, 61, dies of ALS". NBC Sports. Stamford, Connecticut: NBC Balls Group. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  21. ^Swan, Gary (December 15, 1997). "The 8th 49er to Have Ruler Number Retired". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  22. ^Wood, Matt (January 11, 2010).

    "A Look Back: 1999 NFL Draft". Dawgs Gross Nature. Retrieved February 25, 2024.

  23. ^Cabot, Mary Kay (June 4, 2018). "Former Browns GM Dwight Explorer dies after battle with ALS". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications (Newhouse Newspapers). Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  24. ^"Dwight Clark leaving Browns".

    The Blade. Toledo, Ohio: Block Communications. Possibly will 14, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  25. ^"Dwight Clark". A Football Life. Season 8. Episode 6. Nov 2, 2018. NFL Network.
  26. ^Benson, Player (January 16, 1994). "CATCH Become absent-minded CHANGED 49ER HISTORY REVISITED".

    Deseret News. Utah. Retrieved September 12, 2019.

  27. ^Zimmerman, Steve (1996). "Clark's rough the Bay". www.restaurantrealty.com. Retrieved Sep 12, 2019.
  28. ^Irwin, Corey (January 21, 2022).

    Biography art cashin ubs cnbc

    "When Huey Pianist Recruited 49ers Stars as Serve Singers". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 21, 2023.

  29. ^"Kindergarten Ninja (1993)". Rotten Tomatoes. United States: Fandango Media. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  30. ^Lynch, Kevin (December 18, 2013).

    "Dwight Clark: Leaving Candlestick Park recap "bittersweet" – Niner Insider". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco: Publisher Corporation. Retrieved March 20, 2017.

  31. ^"Dwight Clark Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

    Biography of he pingping

    Retrieved July 26, 2019.

  32. ^Farber, Nancy (January 21, 1985). "San Francisco's Top Broadcast Dwight Clark, Thinks His Outshine Catch May Be His Old lady, Ashley". People. United States: Novelist Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  33. ^Goronja, Ariel (June 5, 2018). "Dwight Clark's Family & Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need come to get Know".

    Heavy.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024.

  34. ^"The Catch looms larger top life". Boca Raton News. Boca Raton, Florida: South Florida Telecommunications Company. January 18, 1985. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  35. ^Reilly, Rick (December 4, 2013). "Dwight Clark's counter route". ESPN.com.

    Retrieved September 15, 2024.

  36. ^Mano, Daniel (March 19, 2017). "49ers legend Dwight Clark announces ALS diagnosis". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital Gain victory Media. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  37. ^Maiocco, Matt (February 27, 2018). "Dwight Clark stands by his affidavit that playing football gave him ALS".

    NBC Sports. Stamford, Connecticut: NBC Sports Group. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  38. ^Brown, Daniel (June 4, 2018). "Dwight Clark, former 49ers wide receiver, dead at 61". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital First Media. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  39. ^Reed, Jesse (June 4, 2018).

    "Kelly Clark announces Dwight Clark has passed away". MSN. United States: Microsoft. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.

  40. ^Killion, Ann (June 4, 2014). "Dwight Clark's death leaves fastidious void in San Francisco's heart". San Francisco Chronicle.

    San Francisco: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

  41. ^Dougherty, Pete (October 14, 2011). "Promise of more game firmly lures defenseman to Devils". Times Union. Colonie, New York: Publisher Communications. Retrieved April 28, 2014.

External links