When legendary former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark passed away earlier this year from ALS at the age of 61, it shook the foundation of his organization.
Since retiring back in 1987, Clark had been a fixture within the franchise. Known more for a game-winning catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game than anything else, Clark has a special place in the history of the franchise.
Now, as San Francisco prepares for the 2018 season, the organization is set to honor Clark throughout the year.
As noted by 49ers president Al Guido, that will include a massive statue depicting “The Catch” between Hall of Famer Joe Montana and Clark from nearly four decades ago.
If our memories of Dwight Clark are not big enough, @49ers new memorial to #87 & The Catch features DC @ 120% of life size, weighing approx. 350 lbs. & standing 7' tall. Fitting for a man who was a true giant w/ a heart to match, dedicated to his teammates thru @goldenheartfund pic.twitter.com/M7KiSGXIgo
— Al Guido (@AlGuido) August 8, 2018
That’s one massive tribute to a man Guido called “a true giant.” We’re talking about a statue that will stand 7-feet tall and weigh about 350 pounds.
The 49ers also announced on Wednesday that every player will be wearing a No. 87 decal on their helmets throughout the 2018 season.
Second-year general manager John Lynch noted when he was hired that one of his primary goals was honoring the past in San Francisco and bringing those responsible for the organization’s success back into the mix.
Obviously, Clark’s passing and the 49ers’ response to it has brought this to a whole new level. Good on them.