Former 49ers great Dwight Clark went on Murph amd Mac and provided insight to his experience on Sunday, his struggle with a ALS, and the people who have supported him the most.
“It was spectacular,” Clark said of the halftime ceremony on Sunday at Levi’s in which he was introduced by his good friend, Joe Montana.
“I can’t believe how many players they flew in (from the 1981 title-winning team) and how many wanted to come,” Clark said. “I got to spend an hour and half seeing them and reminiscing a little bit. (said at the 1:50 mark of the interview).”
Clark said he was completely wiped out by the experience.
“I thought the 49ers did an unbelievable job putting the thing together, the way it flowed. The only thing was they cut me off on my speech a little early.” he said. “I hadn’t talked about Eddie (DeBartolo Jr.) yet, or my wife. I had to get back on and say, ‘look I’m not done (2:50).’”
If Clark could have gathered more energy, he would probably would have spent it with fans. He described a special relationship he has always had with them, which started when he speared a high pass from Joe Montana to beat Dallas in the 1982 NFC Championship game and launch an unprecedented era in NFL history.
”I have a great relationship with the fans because we have a signature moment together that kicked Dallas’s ass and sent us to the Super Bowl (6:57),” Clark said.
He said he’s been undated with well wishes.
“I don’t know how they get my e-mail and texts,” Clark said. “I am getting hundreds and hundreds and I can’t keep up. I want to put a blanket thank you out there to everybody who has sent something. I feel so honored and humbled that the fans feel the way they do and I feel the same way about them (6:50). “
Clark also delved into what the disease has done thus far to his body. He said he lost 80 pounds, but he’s thankful he can still walk and talk.
“This is one of those tough battles where if you beat this, you are in a very small percentage,” Clark said. “I am just hoping it plateaus at some point before I get all the way to the end where I can’t move and talk and all that (8:15).”
DeBartolo, Ronnie Lott and Clark’s wife, Kelly, have been his staunchest supporters. Clark described Lott as a saint with his constantly positive attitude, and he thanked DeBartolo for his tireless research on trying to find a cure. He said his wife, Kelly, has a “gigantic” task in taking care of him.
Even with speech slowed and his strength declining, Clark’s trademark charm and natural humility seem even more evident. Clark amazes with his constant surprise about how much fans, media, teammates and friends value him.
Also, the disease, which he called “torture,” has brought him a new perspective.
“I used to sit and love to watch the beach,” Clark said. “That was nice, but now I take it in in a different way. (I appreciate) my relationship with my wife and my kids, my friends. I used to look at the phone and someone will call and I would say, ‘I don’t feel like talking.’ I talk to everybody now because I don’t know what the future holds (12:50).”