Dwight Clark

Home - Inductees - Inductees 2018 - Dwight Clark

Dwight Clark The Catch

Dwight Clark was born in Kinston, NC on January 8, 1957.  Dwight Clark was inducted into the Clemson University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.  He played for Clemson from 1975-1978.  His success at the collegiate level led him to be the 249th overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979 by Coach Bill Walsh.  He played a total of 8 seasons in the NFL accumulating two Pro Bowl, All-Pro nominations, two Super Bowl Championships, and lead the league in receptions in 1982. 

He is widely known for “The Catch” in the 1982 NFC Championship that propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl Championship.  The 49ers retired Dwight Clark’s #87 after his storied career.  Clark served as the team’s general manager in 1998 and then went on to serve in the same capacity for the Cleveland Browns from 1998-2002.  In 2017, Clark announced that he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). 

At our Enshrinement Ceremony April 19, 2018, he received his honor by a video he sent in as well as videos from current Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney and former Clemson teammate Steve Fuller.  Former Clemson teammate Joe Bostic accepted the honor on his behalf in person. Dwight Clark passed away June 4, 2018 due to complications with ALS in Montana.

Video created by Prominence Media. Source: Clemson University, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Source: Fox Carolina