Dwight Clark, the recipient of one of the most famous plays in NFL history, The Catch, passed away on Monday at the age of 61.

Clark was a star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and helped kickstart their dynasty during the 1980s. After playing at Clemson, Clark was drafted in the 10th round in 1979 and became a starter in 1980. He made the first of his two Pro Bowls the following season but it was during the 1981 postseason that he became a Bay Area legend.

Trailing the Dallas Cowboys 27-21 with less than a minute remaining in the NFC Championship Game, Joe Montana rolled out to his right with a play that seemed destined for failure. But the quarterback then lobbed a pass to the back of the endzone where only the six feet, five inch Clark could haul in the pass. The play would be immortalized as "The Catch" as the 49ers ended the Cowboys dynasty and started their own. San Francisco would then go on to defeat the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI for their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

In 1982 Clark would have the best season of his career as he led the NFL with 60 receptions, made his second Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro selection. He would remain a fixture for the 49ers offense over the next few years even as Jerry Rice became the Niners top option. Clark retired after the 1987 season and was the team's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards when he hung up the cleats.

After retiring Clark served in the front office of the 49ers and then the Cleveland Browns. In early 2017 he announced that he was diagnosed with ALS and according to his widow, Kelly, the disease is what he succumbed to on Monday.

Dwight Clark was 61 years old.

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