Published by The Daily Memphian on Sep. 28, 2020. DiLuzio Foley And Fletcher Funeral Homes Dwight E. Clark 64, of Crescent Street, Keene, NH, died February 9, 2015 at his home in Keene from complications of Diabetes Mellitus. "We came into the league together and we laugh about things that he did all the time. Steelers' first draft under Omar Khan was 'aggressive' and achieved high marks, After hoopla of going No. The San Francisco 49ers selected Clark with the first pick of the tenth round (249th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft, even though some people in the organization questioned the selection at the time, considering he was seen as an undrafted free agent. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Dwight Clark of Denton, Texas, who passed away at the age of 91, on June 27, 2021. DeBartolo recently hosted a reunion in Montana where many of Clark's former teammates came for one final goodbye. Walsh came away so impressed with Clark, who had just 33 catches and three touchdowns in 34 college games, he decided to draft him. Dwight Witt Clark, MD was born in McKenzie, Tennessee in 1934, to Dwight Witt Clark, Sr and Nona Allen Clark. When the 49er contingent arrived on campus, Clark answered the phone by chance on his way out to play golf and was convinced to participate as Fuller's pass catcher at the workout, where Walsh was impressed with his receiving skills.[3][7][14]. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not willing to shut the door on a potential return of running back Ezekiel Elliott after the first wave of free agency and the draft, telling reporters the "ship has not sailed.". June 4, 2018 / 3:48 PM Veteran RB Latavius Murray signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, the team announced Monday. "It was beautiful because we got to see him smile,'' said former teammate Roger Craig, who said he almost fainted when he heard the news of Clark's death. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He joined Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in 2011 as an analyst for 49ers Postgame Live. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Dwight is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Ann Howell Clark, whom he married March 22, 1969; one daughter, Mindy Highley and husband Jeff of Owingsville; two grandchildren, Zack Highley and wife Holly and Emily Highley; two sisters, Christine Arnold and Wilma Erwin and husband Roger, all of Garrison; father-in-law, Bernard Howell of Morehead; sisters-in-law Joan Clark of Garrison, Sue Gallenstein of Burlington, and Diane Franklin of Burgaw, NC; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Former 49ers great Clark dies of ALS at 61, Fantasy football rankings for 2023 season, 10 fantasy football breakout players for 2023, Jets bolster OT group by signing veteran Turner, Broncos pick up Jeudy's 5th-year rookie option, Source: Seahawks declining option on LB Brooks, Bills ink vet Murray after passing on RBs in draft, Source: Ravens decline LB Queen's 2024 option, LB Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, Bengals' Ossai recovering from offseason surgery, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted. Upon retirement, he stayed involved in the public safety field by devoting 25 years as the Rowan County Enhanced 911 Address Agent and GIS Operator from June 1, 1996, until November 30, 2021. He got there by good fortune after only 33 catches in three college seasons as former 49ers coach Bill Walsh needed someone to catch passes from Steve Fuller at a pre-draft workout. It would be hard to say Ive had a bad life, even though Ive had a bad break now, Clark said in a video commissioned from NFL Films for the occasion, Sports Illustrated reported. He caught just 33 passes for the Clemson Tigers from 1976 to 1978. American football player and executive (19572018), National Football League Players Association, "49er great Dwight Clark receiver who made The Catch dies at 61", "Dwight Clark, San Francisco 49ers receiver who made 'The Catch,' dies at 61", "One of Charlotte's greatest pro athletes has died", "Dwight Clark, 49ers receiver of The Catch, dead at 61", "Former Clemson great Dwight Clark passes", "Dwight Clark of Clemson football, 49ers fame dies from ALS", "Dwight Clark, 61, Dies; Made a Touchdown Catch for the Ages", "Illness robbed us of Dwight Clark, but not of his spirit", "49ers flashback: 1979 team was dreadful despite Walsh, Montana, O.J. [16] Sports Illustrated writer Paul Zimmerman named Clark his Player of the Year for 1982. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William Dwight Clark of Vienna, West Virginia, who passed away on December 21, 2022, at the age of 83, leaving to mourn family and friends. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a great friend and teammate. "My heart is broken," former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. said in a statement. The rest is history, as Montana-to-Clark became one of the greatest connections in NFL lore. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? By the early 1990s, Clarks catch had become the most requested clip in the archives of NFL Films, which was charging up to $5,000 for its use. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. and Al Cowlings", "49ers icon Dwight Clark: 'I need your prayers and thoughts', "Dwight Clark, 49ers great famous for 'The Catch,' dies at 61 from ALS", "NFC Championship Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers January 10th, 1982", "49ers legend Dwight Clark, 61, dies of ALS", "The 8th 49er to Have His Number Retired", "Former Browns GM Dwight Clark dies after battle with ALS", "CATCH THAT CHANGED 49ER HISTORY REVISITED", "Dwight Clark: Leaving Candlestick Park is "bittersweet" Niner Insider", "San Francisco's Top Receiver Dwight Clark, Thinks His Best Catch May Be His Wife, Ashley", "49ers legend Dwight Clark announces ALS diagnosis", "Dwight Clark stands by his statement that playing football gave him ALS", "Dwight Clark, former 49ers wide receiver, dead at 61", "Kelly Clark announces Dwight Clark has passed away", "Dwight Clark's death leaves a void in San Francisco's heart", "Promise of more game time lures defenseman to Devils", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dwight_Clark&oldid=1152658911, National Football League general managers, National Football League players with retired numbers, Players of American football from Charlotte, North Carolina, Sportspeople from Charlotte, North Carolina, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, NFL player missing current team parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 15:11. As Clark was heading out to play golf, he got a call from Walsh asking him to handle receiving duties for Fuller in the workout. Ben Furman and Bro. [24] He would later return to North Carolina to run his real estate business. I don't think he ever unpacked. Thinking of you. Kelly Clark. The 49ers went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 26-21, in Super Bowl XVI, for the first of four championships they would win in the 1980s. The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. I owe so much of what I know as a cardiac nurse to this gentleman today. Funeral Home website by. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Dwight Clark did not look good when he arrived at the Giants' ballpark on a sunny day in April 2017 for a photo shoot with Willie Mays. He was responsible for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history that began our run of Super Bowl championships, but to me, he will always be an extension of my family. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Dwight was born on Sept. 6, 1953 in Tecumseh, MI, the son of Andrew and Nina (Marsh) Clark. pic.twitter.com/FT6lE4qAGD, In a statement, DeBartolo said that he "lost my little brother and one of my best friends.". He will be missed very much! My thoughts and prayers are with you Kathy and your family. He was a true pioneer in his fields of endeavors. On 3rd-and-3, Clark leaped and caught a 6-yard pass from quarterback Joe Montana in the back of the end zone to tie the score, and Ray Wersching's extra-point kick advanced the 49ers to Super Bowl XVI. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. "He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. July 22, 1949 - 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. Post-retirement, Clark expressed remorse about the end of Candlestick Park, saying that "It was a dump [but] it was our dump, so we could talk bad about it, but we didn't want anybody else to talk bad about it. Today, I lost my little brother and one of my best friends. Clark timed his leap and his reach just right and hauled in the pass by his fingertips before landing safely in the right corner of the north end zone. 87 jersey is retired by the 49ers, is known for one of the most iconic plays ever and one that motivated a future Giants champion. "He's meant the world to me for so many years," Montana said last year after a street near the site of Candlestick Park was named for him. Dwight R. Clark Dwight R. Clark, 66, passed away suddenly at his home at Fine Lake on Sunday July 19, 2020. His death was announced by his wife, Kelly, on his Twitter account. [19] During the 1981 season, Walsh had Montana practice that part of the play back in training camp. He is survived by : his wife Vicki Clark; his children, Bill Clark (Michele) of Wildwood, Brian Clark of Bolivar and Teri Houser (Joel) of Strafford; his grandchildren, Josi Houser, Tori Houser, Jordan Clark and Zachary Clark; his great grandchild Poppy; and his brother Rod Clark (Kathy) of Malden. If you know of an upcoming event for Dwight Clark, please add one. He was recruited by Clemson; the team already had some outstanding ends, so the coaches tried to convert him to a defensive back. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. I want to personally thank him for believing in me as a leader. An All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Clark was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, in March of 2017. Im heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. After what he called months of tests and treatment, Clark was diagnosed with ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. [16][31], Clark married Kelly Radzikowski in 2011. Dwight Clark passed away peacefully on Monday, June 4, at the age of 61 surrounded by friends and family, the team announced. At Clemson, he wore #30, posting only 33 catches for 571 yards, 3 touchdowns and a 17.3-yard average (seventh in school history). In what would be his final appearance in front of such a large group of 49ers fans, Clark addressed the crowd, ownership, his family and more than 40 teammates from a Levi's Stadium suite. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a great friend and teammate. He was a classy, down to earth and charismatic guy. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family.". Dwight Clark, the receiver with movie-star looks and charisma whose iconic catch launched a San Francisco 49ers NFL dynasty, died Monday, less than two years after revealing he had amyotrophic. Dwight Edward Clark was born on Jan. 8, 1957, in Kinston, N.C. Its the most romantic moment weve captured in football in the past 25 years, Steve Sabol, the president of NFL Films, told The New York Times in 1993. Thank you for everything that you taught us nurses about cardiology. [1][2] He was a member of San Francisco's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Thank you Kathy for hosting us and our families on more than one occasion and lending your husband to us for the betterment of us all. Staff of Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery. He believed in me. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Dwight Clark Keatts to pay them a last tribute. One of whom we loved. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. He kept trying to tell me he was getting cut every day, I kept trying to tell him, 'what are you doing? The journey through this life brings sweets and many sorrows, all of us know them,we cannot stop them.We send you are love to strengthen you. Born July 22, 1949, in Garrison, he was the son of the late Roy Ernest Clark and Zora Elizabeth Bloomfield Clark. He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. J. Dwight Clark, 73, of Cedar Hill died Sept. 25, 2022, in St. Louis. From all the nurses and staff in CCU over the years , Dr Clark will be remembered with fondness and respect. "The Catch" spurred the Niners to their first Super Bowl victory and was the unofficial beginning of a dynasty that would see San Francisco win four world championships in the 1980s as well as make eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons. Dwight W Clark Dwight Mason Clark 06/11/1922 - 06/06/1983 He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. He still ranks third on San Francisco's receiving yards list (6,750), fourth in receptions (506) and seventh in touchdown receptions (48). NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. "I will always remember Dwight the way he was -- larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade. With 58 seconds remaining in the January 1982 National Football Conference championship game between the underdog 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys on a soggy Candlestick Park field, San Francisco had the football on the Dallas 6-yard line, trailing by 6 points. It was honor to work with Dwight for the 49ers Draft Party, back in 2010. Clark, who had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since he first began feeling weakness in his left hand in September of 2015, was 61 years old. He was born in Tacoma, WA to RaeLyn and George. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. As Joe Montana says, what would have happened if I didn't throw that pinpoint pass perfectly angled to be in the only spot where he should catch and no one else would be able to interfere with it. [11] After returning to the team, he was a backup wide receiver and finished with five receptions for 99 yards and a 19.8-yard average. [26], Clark was the lead role in the 1993 direct-to-video comedy Kindergarten Ninja. I will continue to miss you and think of you and the wonderful memories you brought to so many. William was a US Army veteran and worked in production at the O'Ames Factory in Parkersburg, WV. [7][8] Clark talked about how he was nervous playing quarterback in high school.
