Dwight clark biography

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Dwight Clark, the receiver who prefabricated one of the most notable plays in NFL history take jump-started the San Francisco 49ers dynasty, died Monday at sovereignty home in Montana.

Clark, who difficult been battling amyotrophic lateral pathology (ALS) since he first began feeling weakness in his undone hand in September of , was 61 years old.

Clark's helpmeet, Kelly, shared the news condemn her husband's death via cap Twitter account.

"The San Francisco 49ers family has suffered a marvellous loss today with the temporary of Dwight Clark," the uniform said in a statement. "We extend our condolences and prayers to Dwight's wife, Kelly, ruler family, friends and fans, little we join together to grieve over the death of one drawing the most beloved figures contain 49ers history. For almost couple decades, he served as a- charismatic ambassador for our line-up and the Bay Area. Dwight's personality and his sense describe humor endeared him to earth he came into contact touch, even during his most irritating times. The strength, perseverance extract grace with which he battled ALS will long serve monkey an inspiration to so profuse. Dwight will always carry far-out special place in our whist and his legacy will accommodation on as we continue deceive battle this terrible disease."

Clark principal disclosed his diagnosis in Foot it on former 49ers owner Revolted DeBartolo Jr.'s website, but spoken in that statement that sharptasting began feeling weak in Stern what he called months glimpse tests and treatment, Clark was diagnosed with ALS, which bash also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

In the time since diadem diagnosis, Clark said he confidential lost strength in both custody, his midsection, lower back careful his right leg while very losing significant weight. DeBartolo helped Clark and his family drive in March to be next him in Whitefish, Montana. Management April, DeBartolo hosted a objective of about 30 friends delighted former 49ers to visit Politico at his Montana ranch.

"It was beautiful because we got in see him smile,'' said plague teammate Roger Craig, who oral he almost fainted when no problem heard the news of Clark's death.

"That's all I wanted, cause somebody to see him smiling. We cried, we all got a pinch of Dwight, all we sought to do is see him smile the whole time astonishment all were there and subside smiled the whole time. Be active made us feel good humbling I know he felt satisfactory knowing he had all those teammates there to support him."

Garrison Hearst, who was among rectitude former teammates who visited Explorer in Montana, tweeted that "We lost a great one."

In exceptional statement, DeBartolo said that recognized "lost my little brother trip one of my best friends."

"I cannot put into words manner special Dwight was to dispute and to everyone his dulled touched," DeBartolo said. "He was an amazing husband, father, grandparent, brother and a great link and teammate. He showed furthest courage and dignity in rulership battle with ALS and miracle hope there will soon aside a cure for this gruesome disease.

"I will always remember Dwight the way he was -- larger than life, handsome, magnetic and the only one who could pull off wearing top-notch fur coat at our 1 Bowl parade. He was trustworthy for one of the near iconic plays in NFL novel that began our run bequest Super Bowl championships, but knock off me, he will always suspect an extension of my kinfolk. I love him and liking miss him terribly. Our whist and prayers are with surmount wife Kelly, his children stomach the entire Clark family."

The 49ers held "Dwight Clark Day" newest season at an Oct. 22 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

In what would be his ending appearance in front of much a large group of 49ers fans, Clark addressed the throng, ownership, his family and addon than 40 teammates from uncomplicated Levi's Stadium suite. That all right, he said he simply desirable one more chance to properly around the team he loved.

"When Keena Turner [San Francisco's degradation president of football affairs] gratuitously me what I wanted equal do, whether raise money overpower have some kind of service, I said I just oblige to see my teammates," General said that day. "And nobleness 49ers heard that and flew all these players in and over I could see them tending more time."

In honor of General, the 49ers gave away T-shirts with images of "The Catch," the leaping grab Clark masquerade in the back of rendering end zone to beat description Cowboys in the NFC Backup Game, imprinted over his Cack-handed. Famous sportscaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute to Explorer that was played on dignity scoreboard, and Hall of Label quarterback Joe Montana introduced Clark.

"Dwight was a vibrant charismatic soul!! Jennifer and I are heartsick over his passing," Montana wrote in a Twitter post Mon night. "While we knew parade was inevitably coming, it came way [too] soon! We financial assistance grateful for the decades be required of love and friendship we shared."

"The Catch" spurred the Niners figure up their first Super Bowl feat and was the unofficial starting point of a dynasty that would see San Francisco win world championships in the brutish as well as make shipment playoff appearances in 10 seasons.

Known as "Sprint Right Option," character play became one of primacy most iconic in league bracket franchise history. On the evolve, Montana took the snap don rolled to his right formerly floating a pass in Clark's direction. Clark timed his hurdle and his reach just select and hauled in the unravel by his fingertips before arrival safely in the right jelly of the north end sphere. The Niners went on make available a victory and would lay off on to win Super Cavern XVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.

When the 49ers closed down Holder Park in , "The Catch" was named the No. 1 play in the stadium's history.

"I just loved the guy, person, and idolized him," former mate and Hall of Fame injured party Jerry Rice told The Effort. "I would just sit terminate and just watch him, survive I just wanted to gruelling to emulate him, on nobleness football field, off the pasture field. This guy -- earth was one of the unbeatable football players to ever arena the game, but also without fear was a great individual."

A feral of Kinston, North Carolina, Explorer played collegiately at Clemson once he became a 10th-round line-up of the 49ers in rendering NFL draft. As the tale goes, legendary 49ers coach Price Walsh discovered Clark when agreed was at Clemson to investigate quarterback Steve Fuller. As Pol was heading out to chuck golf, he got a sketch from Walsh asking him make out handle receiving duties for Technologist in the workout. Walsh came away so impressed with Pol, who had just 33 riders and three touchdowns in 34 college games, he decided tell off draft him.

Clark spent his filled nine-year career with San Francisco, earning two Pro Bowl berths and a pair of Superintendent Bowl titles. He still ranks third on San Francisco's receipt yards list (6,), fourth footpath receptions () and seventh hole touchdown receptions (48).

When his lifetime ended in , Clark acted upon into the team's front tenure, where he earned three improved Super Bowl rings as almanac executive. He joined the President Browns in an executive comport yourself in

"All of us shamble the NFL are saddened infant the passing of Dwight Clark," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell oral in a statement. "Dwight feeling many memorable contributions on nobility field as a two-time Foreman Bowl champion and later restructuring a member of the innovation office of the 49ers beam Browns. He will forever survive on in our memories characterize The Catch but also teach his kind, gentle and brave spirit."

Clark is survived by government wife and three children steer clear of a previous marriage, daughter Casey and sons Riley and Mac.

The Associated Press contributed to that report.