Former 49ers’ receiver Dwight Clark was spotted just before the game riding in a wheelchair and motoring through the bowels of Levi’s stadium. As he did, fans and stadium workers stood to one side and cheered him. Clark enjoyed the adulation and at one point stepped on the gas and sped ahead of his family with a smile gracing his face. The legendary Clark playfulness is fully in tact.
Clark is gamely battling ALS and he was honored at halftime with many of his teammates from the 49ers’ 1981 Super Bowl-winning team. Appropriately he was recognized in a game against the Cowboys, the team he victimized for the catch in the 1982 NFL Championship Game. The play vaunted the 49ers to their first Super Bowl and began an 18-year reign of success.
The ceremony was replete with a video dedication narrated by Vin Scully, who called The Catch for CBS. Hall of Fame quarterback and Clark’s former roommate, Joe Montana also addressed the crowd with many of his teammates from the ’81 team..
“He never unpacked his bag. He thought he was going to get cut,” Montana told the crowd of Clark’s rookie year.
He then introduced Clark, who spoke from a booth in the stadium.
Clark was asked what he wanted from the organization and he said, “I wanted to see my teammates and the 49ers flew all of these players in, so I could see them one more time.”
Clark thanked Jed York for flying in the former players, and then thanked former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. for tirelessly trying to find a cure for his disease, which included a trip to Japan for medication.
Clark also thanked his family and he appealed to the 49ers’ fans.
“I am going through a little thing right now,” he said. “I really need your thoughts and prayers.”