Age: 24
3rd
season in pro football & with 49ers
College: Clemson
Height: 6’3” Weight: 205
Prelude:
Playing
across from star WR Jerry Butler in college, Clark caught 33 passes for 571
yards (17.3 avg.) and three touchdowns and was chosen by the 49ers in the 10th
round of the 1979 NFL draft. He started three games as a rookie and had 18
catches for 232 yards, but broke out in 1980 with 82 receptions for 991 yards
and eight touchdowns. An overachieving possession receiver, he proved to be a
comfortable fit in San Francisco’s West Coast passing offense.
1981 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Pass
Receiving
Receptions – 85
[2, 1st in NFC]
Most receptions,
game – 9 (for 77 yds.) at Atlanta 9/20
Yards – 1105
[9]
Most yards,
game – 135 (on 4 catches) vs. Dallas 10/11
Average gain
– 13.0
TDs – 4
100-yard
receiving games – 3
Rushing
Attempts – 3
Yards – 32
Average gain
– 10.7
TDs – 0
Passing
Attempts – 1
Completions –
0
Yards – 0
Interceptions
– 0
Scoring
TDs – 4
Points – 24
Postseason: 3 G
Pass
receptions – 17
Most pass
receptions, game – 8 vs. Dallas, NFC Championship
Pass
receiving yards – 269
Most pass
receiving yards, game – 120 vs. Dallas, NFC Championship
Average yards
per reception – 15.8
Pass
Receiving TDs – 2
Rushing
attempts – 2
Rushing yards
– 4
Yards per
attempt – 2.0
Rushing TDs –
0
Awards & Honors:
2nd
team All-NFC: UPI
Pro Bowl
49ers went 13-3
to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over New York
Giants (38-24), NFC Championship over Dallas Cowboys (28-27) & Super Bowl
over Cincinnati Bengals (26-21).
Aftermath:
While the
49ers dipped from their championship form in 1982, Clark led the NFL with 60
catches, for 913 yards (15.2 avg.) and five touchdowns, in the strike-shortened
season and was a consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl selection. He
had 70 receptions for 840 yards and 8 TDs in ’83, but also had knee surgery. Clark
remained a dependable clutch receiver until 1987, when further knee problems
ended his career after nine seasons, all with the 49ers. Overall, he caught 506
passes for 6750 yards (13.3 avg.) and 48 touchdowns. He added another 48
receptions for 726 yards (15.1 avg.) and three TDs in the postseason, which
included his dramatic NFC Championship game-winning catch in 1981. Clark was a
consensus first-team All-NFL choice once and was chosen to two Pro Bowls. The
49ers retired his #87.
--
Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories:
Rushing:
Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing:
Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving:
Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs,
Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose:
Total Yards
Defense:
Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff
Returns: Average
Punt Returns:
Average
Punting:
Average
*Leagues
include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL
(1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)
**NFC/AFC
since 1970
A lot of people forget that Joe Montana didn't have the legendary Jerry Rice or John Taylor to throw to until about the middle of his HOF career, his first two Super Bowls were won by throwing to Dwight Clark, Freddie Solomon (the speedy deep threat of the team), and an assortment of capable but journeymen running backs (with the exception of Roger Craig, a truly talented multi-threat). Clark was one of the best possession receivers in the game at the time. He had no speed and wasn't much of a threat after the catch, but he could reliably move the first down markers and, with his size and big hands he could snare the ball in a crowd or outfight defensive backs for the ball in the clutch. He may or may not have been able to make it with other teams or other quarterbacks, but he was perfect for Montana's well-timed, soft passes. A lot of Montana's reputation in the first half of his career was made by throwing to Dwight Clark. An excellent example of an ordinary receiver becoming extraordinary by his overachieving play.
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