The man on the receiving end of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history was born January 8, 1957.
Dwight Edward Clark grew up in North Carolina and played football at Clemson University. 49ers head coach Bill Walsh found a gem with the first pick in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL draft when he selected Clark.
Clark would tally 506 catches for 6750 yards and 48 touchdowns in his nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. He led the NFL in receptions with 60 during the strike-shortened 1982 season, and made the Pro Bowl in 1981 and 1982. He's also responsible for the play simply known as "The Catch" in the 1982 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys that helped launch San Francisco's dynasty. If you've lived your life under a rock and have not seen the play, or just want to watch it again, this is for you:
Happy Birthday, Dwight Clark.
