Dwight Clark
- San Francisco 49ers ( 1979-1987 )
- 2 × Pro Bowl selection (1981, 1982)
- 2 × All-Pro selection (1981, 1982)
- 2 × Super Bowl champion (XVI, XIX )
- Back number blocked when the 49ers
- Clemson Hall of Fame (1988 )
- North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (1997)
- South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (1987 )
Dwight Edward Clark ( born January 8, 1957 in Kinston, North Carolina ) is a former American professional American football player. He played as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League ( NFL).
Playing career
College career
Dwight Clark studied from 1975 to 1978 at Clemson University, where he played with the " Clemson Tigers " College Football. Due to a shoulder injury he could draw his last game year only little attention, although it was used in all ten games of his team. 1979 visited Bill Walsh, the new coach of the San Francisco 49ers the Clemson University because he wanted there, a junior quarterback Steve Fuller observed. Clark lived in the same room as Steve Fuller and took the phone call from Walsh contrary, as Fuller was absent. Walsh asked who he was and invited him to catch the balls in order to get a better idea of Fuller, one training with Fuller.
Playing career
Dwight Clark in 1979 drafted by the 49ers in the tenth round to 249 place. The 49ers were at the time one of the worst teams in the NFL. Walsh wanted to introduce his team at the West Coast offense with which he was already successful as a college coach. This attack system, which was based on quick, short passes, should first establish in a game the passing game and not, as in the 70s of the 20th century still common the running game. 1979 obliged the 49ers, the same year as Clark, quarterback Joe Montana, who should take over the role of starting quarterback in 1980. In the coming years more later All-Star players like Charles Haley, Jerry Rice or Ronnie Lott were added. The team has developed into a top team.
Clark was on offense the team from San Francisco to one of the main play stations of Montana. First for nationwide caused a stir Clark in 1981 in the play-offs. The 49ers played in the NFC Championship Game against the trained by Tom Landry Dallas Cowboys. One minute before the final whistle, the 49ers were in arrears with 27:21. Montana played a previously rehearsed pass in the end zone of the Cowboys Clark, who had already achieved in the first half and a touchdown, could hold it with an acrobatic pass catcher. The 49ers won with 28:27 and moved into the Super Bowl. The pass catching Clark should enter " The Catch " in the NFL history as.
Opponent in Super Bowl XVI were the Cincinnati Bengals, who could be hit with 26:21. After the 1984 season, Clark was able to win his second Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XIX, he was able to achieve a space gain of 77 yards by pass catches. The 49ers won the game against the Miami Dolphins with 38:16.
After the 1987 season, Clark ended his playing career. In the 1982 season, which was significantly shortened by a players strike, he could put up with 60 passes caught an NFL Jahresbestleistung. 1981 was his best year statistically. He caught passes for a gain of space of 1105 yards.
Official career
Immediately after his playing career Clark joined the management of the 49ers. He was in 1995 appointed Vice - President of this organization and remained in this capacity until 1998. As a functionary of the 49ers he could still win the Super Bowl three times. In 1998, Clark became the Vice - President to the Cleveland Browns. In 2002 he resigned his office. Clark is a successful businessman today. He is married and has three children.
Clark was once a friend of Miss Universe 1980 Shawn Weatherly.
Honors
Dwight Clark played twice in the Pro Bowl, the All -Star Game of the best players of the season. He was elected twice to the All- Pro. His shirt number is not assigned when the 49ers. He is a member of the Clemson Hall of Fame, in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.