Dwight Clark facts for kids

Dwight Edward Clark (born January 8, 1957 – died June 4, 2018) was a famous American football player. He played as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). He played for nine seasons, from 1979 to 1987.

Clark was a key player on the 49ers' first two Super Bowl championship teams. He made one of the most famous plays in NFL history, known as "The Catch". This play helped the 49ers win their first Super Bowl. After playing, Clark also worked as a general manager for the 49ers and the Cleveland Browns.

Dwight Clark's Early Life & College Football

Dwight Clark was born on January 8, 1957, in Kinston, North Carolina. He went to Garinger High School in Charlotte. In high school, he played quarterback.

Clark was very tall, at 6 feet 4 inches. He loved basketball the most. However, he accepted a scholarship to play college football at Clemson University.

Playing at Clemson University

When he started at Clemson, coaches moved him to wide receiver. This was because the team had many other quarterbacks. As a sophomore, he became a starter at strong safety. But he did not like this position. He even left school for a short time.

Clark thought about playing basketball at another college. Finally, he was allowed to play offense again. He returned to the team as a backup wide receiver. He caught five passes for 99 yards that season.

In his junior year, he became a starting wide receiver. His team made it to the Gator Bowl. This was Clemson's first bowl game in 18 years. He caught 17 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown.

His senior season in 1978 was amazing. The Tigers won 11 games and lost only one. They won the 1978 Gator Bowl against Ohio State. They finished sixth in the national rankings. Clark caught 11 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. One was a 68-yard touchdown catch that helped Clemson win the ACC Championship.

Clark was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 1988.

Dwight Clark's NFL Career

The San Francisco 49ers chose Dwight Clark in the 1979 NFL Draft. He was picked in the tenth round. Many people were surprised by this choice. New head coach Bill Walsh had visited Clemson to scout another player. By chance, Clark answered the phone and was asked to help with the workout. Walsh was very impressed with Clark's catching skills.

The 49ers were not a strong team before Clark joined. But they quickly became one of the best. They won the Super Bowl in 1981 and 1984. They made the playoffs almost every year Clark played for them.

Clark had a great career with the 49ers. He caught 506 passes for 6,750 yards. He also scored 48 touchdowns. In the 1982 season, he led the NFL in receptions with 60 catches. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice, in 1981 and 1982.

The Catch: A Famous Play

One of the most famous plays in NFL history is "The Catch". It happened on January 10, 1982. This was during the 1981 NFC Championship game. The 49ers were playing against the Dallas Cowboys.

The 49ers were losing 27–21 with less than a minute left. On a crucial play, Clark jumped high in the back of the end zone. He caught a 6-yard pass from quarterback Joe Montana. This tied the game. The extra point kick then gave the 49ers the win. This amazing play sent the 49ers to Super Bowl XVI.

Clark had a fantastic game that day. He caught eight passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers had practiced this exact play in training camp.

Retirement and Legacy

Dwight Clark retired after the 1987 season. He helped the 49ers win two Super Bowls. To honor his amazing contributions, the 49ers retired his jersey number, #87, in 1988. This means no other 49ers player will ever wear that number.

After retiring, Clark worked as an executive for the 49ers. He then became the first General Manager for the new Cleveland Browns team. He later returned to North Carolina.

Clark also had a restaurant called Clark's By The Bay. He decorated it with sports items, including things from "The Catch."

Media Appearances

Clark also appeared in some fun media projects. He sang backup vocals on two hit songs by Huey Lewis and the News. The songs were "Hip to Be Square" and "I Know What I Like". He even starred in a comedy movie called Kindergarten Ninja. He also appeared in a video game.

Dwight Clark's Personal Life

Dwight Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011. They lived in Santa Cruz. He had three children from a previous marriage: a daughter named Casey, and two sons named Riley and Mac.

Illness and Passing

On March 19, 2017, Clark shared sad news. He had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This disease is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It causes muscles to weaken over time.

Clark believed that playing football might have caused his ALS. He had suffered three concussions during his career. He encouraged the NFL to keep working to make football safer. He wanted them to focus on preventing head injuries.

Dwight Clark passed away from ALS on June 4, 2018. He was 61 years old. He lived in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife Kelly at the time of his death.