THE CATCH

This is one of those times when my travel isn't "near" or "far" but rather back in time to the beginnings of our San Francisco 49ers glory days. I was born into being a "49er Faithful" and lived through all the ups and downs as a Niner fan sharing every game with my father before he died 4-1/2 years ago.

Dwight Clark

Forty years ago today, perhaps the greatest moment in San Francisco 49ers history took place. It will forever be remembered as simply "The Catch". It has often been said that Candlestick Park held 60,000 screaming fans but as the years passed hundreds of thousands of Niner fanatics swear they were in attendance that day. 

Wide receiver Dwight Clark leaped higher than he'd ever leaped before and reached for the Joe Montana thrown pass. Clark was quoted as saying, "It was over my head. I thought, 'Oh, no, I can't go that high'. Something got me up there. It must have been God or something."

With less than a minute to play in the NFC title game, trailing the hated Dallas Cowboys by six points, Dwight Clark snatched the football out of the air with his fingertips in the back of the end zone. He came down inbounds to score the game tying touchdown! Ray Wersching kicked the go ahead point after. A fantastic defensive goal line stand later and the 49ers were in their first Super Bowl!!! 

The day of that game, January 10, 1982, (40 years ago today) will go down in San Francisco 49ers history forever. Super Bowl XVI was the beginning of their football dynasty that lasted throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. Our Niners went on to win five Super Bowls over the next 13 years. It was a helluva run and I'm proud to say I watched every one of them. I can still see The Catch clear as day in my mind as it seemed to play out in slow motion. When Joe talked about his game winning touchdown pass, Dwight took great delight in reminding him, "They call it 'The Catch', not 'The Throw'".

I'm not one to value things that much but if I had what is termed a most prized possession, it would certainly be my autographed copy of Sports Illustrated with Dwight Clark on the cover. I personally stood in line at the Wendy's in Hayward (yes, the fast food restaurant) to chat a minute and have him sign it. I have a couple snapshots of Dwight, Darrin and myself but for the life of me, I can't find them.

This was back in the days when athletes signed autographs for free and you could actually read their names. Dwight Clark was one of the most accessible and personable sports stars I've ever met. And, just a female side note, he was drop dead gorgeous to look at as well.

My dad was a huge 49er fan going to games at Kezar Stadium when he was a teenager. He had a friend who sold programs at the games. My dad would buy the cheapest end zone tickets then meet his friend who gave him a stack of programs to act like he was selling as he walked to midfield past the security. He would then give the programs back and find a better vacant seat.

My father had a knit 49er cap probably from the 50s or 60s that he believed held special powers within it, but they must be used judiciously. Over the years we all had our own Niner knit caps with similar powers but we only wore them for really big, important games so we didn't waste the magic. I still bring my dad's hat out for our biggest games.

I didn't realize it was the 40th anniversary of The Catch until we stumbled onto a rerun of a documentary about Dwight Clark the other day. This is the top of my bookcase in our office. My 49er mugs from the 80s and my dad's vintage knit cap are prominently displayed along with some other game giveaways and our four generations of Warrior fans photo.

A close up of my The Catch mug and my dad's special magic hat. Hopefully, there will be a need to bring that hat out for some big playoffs, or even a Super Bowl game this year. There is still some power left in it.

Unfortunately, there is a sad, bittersweet conclusion to the mystique of The Catch. In Dwight's own words, "In September of 2015 I started feeling weakness in my left hand. After months of tests and treatments, I got some bad news. I was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I have ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Those words are still very hard for me to say."

Several years ago, a half hour documentary detailing Dwight's legacy titled "Letters to 87" was filmed for ESPN. You can watch it on YouTube but have a box of tissues nearby. Fellow players surrounded the bedridden Dwight to read letters from fans highlighting what Dwight and The Catch meant to each of them.

On June 4, 2018, Dwight died at his horse ranch in Whitefish, Montana. He will live on forever as a legend in the minds of every 49er fan.