Clemson HOFer passes away

Tony Crumpton by Assoc. Editor -

Sad news to report tonight.

49ers great and former Clemson receiver Dwight Clark has passed away at the age of 61 after his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

His wife, Kelly Clark announced the news via Twitter on Monday.

"I'm heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband, she posted. "He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. I am thankful for all of Dwight's friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS."

Clark was best-known for making 'The Catch' from Joe Montana in the 1981 NFC Playoffs. During his nine-year NFL career, Clark was a two-time Super Bowl champion and he had 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney thought highly of Clark according to a school release on Monday evening.

"My heart breaks today. When I was growing up, I remember watching Dwight Clark play. As a receiver he was someone I looked up to. I remember his catch against the Dallas Cowboys. Then I had the opportunity meet him and play golf with him when I became the head coach at Clemson. He sent me a signed ball with a diagram of that play against the Cowboys and I still have that in my office in a prominent place. About a month ago when he was inducted into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame, I returned the favor somewhat in that I had a No. 30 Clemson jersey made with his name on it and I sent it to him with some other Clemson items. He called and left me a voicemail to thank me for the jersey and to tell me the jerseys today weren’t anything like the tear-away jerseys from his day. He closed by telling me how proud he was of our program. That meant a lot."

This is a treasured relic in Dabo Swinney’s office.



A signed ball by Dwight Clark with the diagram of the play ‘Red Left Slot Sprint Option.’



AKA “The Catch”



RIP Dwight Clark. pic.twitter.com/1o2xmX2PXV — Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) June 5, 2018

Clark came to Clemson from Charlotte, NC in 1975 as part of one of the great recruiting classes in school history. That class included Steve Fuller, Jerry Butler, Joe Bostic, and Steve Kenney, all of whom joined Clark as Tigers who went on to play at least nine years in the NFL.

Clark caught just 30 passes for 571 yards in his Clemson career, but he averaged 17.3 yards per catch, still the seventh highest yards per catch rate in Clemson history. He had just three touchdown receptions in his career, but few longtime Clemson fans will forget his 62-yard touchdown catch at Maryland in 1978 in a 28-24 victory that clinched Clemson’s first ACC title in 11 years.

49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo released a statement on Clark's passing.

"My heart is broken. Today, I lost my little brother and one of my best friends," he posted. "I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a great friend and teammate. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease. I was always remember Dwight the way he was -- larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the only one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade. 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 was always be an extension of my family, I love him and will miss him terribly. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family."

49ers CEO Jed York also released a statement after hearing about Clark's passing.

"Many know Dwight as an iconic figure in 49ers lore, whose accomplishments on the field brought joy to fans around the world," he said. "Our organization is fortunate to know him more intimately as a wonderful man who has given so much of himself as an ambassador to the entire Bay Area. We will stand alongside Dwight and his family as they wage this battle."

Clark's No. 87 jersey was retired by the 49ers in 1988.

Love you bro Dwight Clark!! RIP — jerryrice (@JerryRice) June 4, 2018

R.I.P. my good friend Dwight Clark.... — Thurman Thomas (@thurmanthomas) June 5, 2018

We are saddened to share that @49ers great Dwight Clark has passed away at age 61. pic.twitter.com/NK8iB6DoRM — NFL (@NFL) June 4, 2018

Joe Montana and Jennifer, Steve Bono and wife Tina visited Dwight last week. Dwight Clark passed away today at 61 pic.twitter.com/dMYeFkD1aj — Dennis O'Donnell (@DennisKPIX) June 5, 2018