"It was a dump. But it was our dump, so
we could talk bad about it. But we didn't
want anybody else to talk bad about it."
Dwight Clark, on Candlestick Park.
The Once-in-a-While
Daily News:
Dwight Clark.
1 I had already written another piece when news came over the wire about Dwight Clark.
2 All I could think of was this: Prayers. Heart-breaking stuff. Clark, who became a household name in the NFC 1981 Championship game between the Niners and the Dallas Cowboys after making what came to be known as "The Catch", recently was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig's disease), and we all send prayers to Dwight, and to his family.
What Clark means to the Bay Area can't be put into words. No matter who your team is, you love Dwight Clark. I always felt I could go into his restaurant and have a steak with him. Country goodness. His diagnosis this week struck many fans of the San Francisco 49ers as a time of reflection, and of remembering how long it took for them to become a storied franchise. It also brought "The Catch" back to me, as vividly as I remember having watched it. And in the end, Montana-to-Clark, "Sprint-Right-Option" has lived in my heart ever since. We all hailed it as "The Catch." Listen:
3 I worked at Candlestick for years, saw many awesome moments. I knew that something magical was happening from the first pre-season Niner game of the '81-'82 season. I know it's cliche' but there was a magic running through every home game of that season, particularly the 24-22 undressing of the Seahawks in a pre-season game at Candlestick on August 22, and the 45-14 pummeling of the Dallas Cowboys on October 11. After the Seahawks' game, my wife Helene, her brother Russ and I celebrated in The Forum. You would have thought that we had already WON the Super Bowl. Shouts of "Who ARE those guys?" danced through the night. Anybody who was there will tell you the same story. Something incredible was about to happen to the San Francisco 49ers, and we stood on the precipice that night, and that precipice was Candlestick Park. A quick backstory:
4 Eddie DeBartolo and Bill Walsh saw that the Niners needed defense that year, and brought in the following players: Fred Dean, Dwight Hicks, Ronnie Lott, Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, Carlton Williamson, and Eric Wright, a metaphorical murderer's row on defense, featuring a complete overhaul of the secondary. This explains the craziness of that Seattle game. This magic continued into the season, and amazing plays happened on a weekly basis. I was a beer vendor at the time. I got to see a whole bunch of that season. I probably should have been selling more beer, but there are moments when you just watch. I would kneel during football games anyway. It was easy to look at the game and pour two beers with two hands. So I watched. And I loved my Niners. I saw LOTS of great things at Candlestick. I was a rare breed who loved the place. As Dwight Clark put it, "It was a dump. But it was our dump, so we could talk bad about it. But we didn't want anybody else to talk bad about it."
Amen. I used to get ridiculed when I told people I loved Candlestick. I STILL love Candlestick. I never thought it was a dump. I saw miracles at Candlestick, even though I missed the Pope. I worked there for twenty-five years, and I never thought it was a dump. I loved the place.
I was born a 49er fan. And over the years I thought I had seen it all.
Amen. I used to get ridiculed when I told people I loved Candlestick. I STILL love Candlestick. I never thought it was a dump. I saw miracles at Candlestick, even though I missed the Pope. I worked there for twenty-five years, and I never thought it was a dump. I loved the place.
5 But the greatest moment I got to see was "The Catch." I got to be there. I had to work. I had to sell beer in the seats, but I got to be there.
I got to be there, with my Mom, Dad, and most of the gang I used to be with at all the Kezar games. They had season tickets before there was such a thing. We grew up in a Niner neighborhood. And we hated the Dallas Cowboys and everything about them.
As a cold beer guy, I got to run around selling the most popular item in the stadium. I saw many great moments at both Kezar Stadium, where my Dad brought me as a kid, and at Candlestick Park, where I roamed, "poppin' and pourin' " as the vendos would put it.
6 The 49ers came into the game 13-3 following a miracle season and with the biggest chance to reach the Super Bowl in franchise history. They hosted a team that was already a dynasty. I won't go into the first three quarters of the game except to say that it was a bloodbath. After an entire game of back-and-forth huge plays, the Niners found themselves in the fourth quarter with the ball on the 11-yard line, and trailing 27-21 with 4:54 left in the game. They still had all three timeouts. I remember the clock, that's for sure. Agonizing, particularly since the Niners had turned the ball over six times.
7 4:54. Vivid.
8 The Drive:
9 I don't remember every play, just moments. Historically, here is how that amazing drive unfolded: On first down, Joe Montana threw a dropped pass to Lenvil Elliott. Elliott followed with a 6-yard run. On third-and-four, Montana found Freddie Solomon for a six-yard gain, and a first-and-ten on the 23. Montana then handed off to Elliott for an eleven-yard gain. I began working myself over to my family and friends, up in the East stands.
The Niners suddenly found themselves on their own 34. Montana again went to Elliott for a gain of seven. It was now second-and-three from their own 41. Montana whipped a ball right through Elliott, incomplete.
On third-and-three, with hope diminishing, the stress set in. High stakes. Movement. Whistle. Dallas off-side, five-yards and an automatic first down.
Montana then shifted and went to Earl Cooper for a quick gain of five, and the clock ticked down to the two-minute warning. Then came a Bill Walsh magic play. Montana went from his short game, straight-ahead offense to a reverse to wide receiver Freddie Solomon around the left side for a gain of fourteen. The Niners were not only in Dallas territory, but they were on the 35-yard line. Brilliant call. I arrived on the steps near my parents and friends, and looked over. I heard my strap clunk into my metal beer case. I saw the scratches inside, and the last drops of my last case swirling with dirt.
Thoughts ran through my head as an old-school Niner fan: "Oh my God don't score too early!" "First and ten, no turnovers dammit!" and, "Oh, s#it!" We glanced at each other, reading one another's thoughts. Tacit. Succinct.
Montana calmly found Dwight Clark on the right side for an easy gain of ten. Another first-and-ten, and Montana with yet another strike to Solomon for thirteen, ball now on the 12. The Niners called time with 1:15 left in the game.
They came out of the huddle, and Montana took a shot to the end zone, but missed Solomon.
On second-and-ten, Montana handed off again to Elliott, who gained a quick six yards. Elliott tore it up in that drive. The Niners called timeout with 58 seconds remaining.
Third and three. 58 seconds on the clock. Pure tension in golden hands. The stage, as it were, was set.
58 seconds.
10 The Catch: The play, heroically remembered as "Sprint-Right Option," was designed to go to Freddie Solomon, but Solomon slipped, and Joe found himself running to his right pursued by a fierce Ed "Too Tall" Jones and another band of Dallas thieves. Montana, back-pedaling, pump-faked Jones and then heaved the ball as high as possible into the right corner of the end zone. Clark, at the post, made a quick reverse to the right side, screened off Everson Walls, and jumped higher than I'd ever seen him, catching the ball at his fingertips, and sending delirious Niner fans into a frenzy. This included me, for that exact second. Maybe two seconds. Maybe three.
With fans still standing, I crouched on the steps. I said under my breath, "There's STILL 55 seconds left, and Danny White can ruin this fast."
Time stood still. I was ahead of the crowd, as was Bill Walsh. He knew how quickly Dallas quarterback Danny White could strike. And he did. Following a safe kickoff by Ray Wersching, the Cowboys were on their own 25 with 47 seconds remaining.
White wasted no time. With some fans still celebrating, White sent a bomb down the middle to Drew Pearson. Pearson pulled it down on the San Francisco 44. Eric Wright caught Pearson by the jersey, or he would have off to the races. GREAT play by Eric Wright. Monumental.
38 seconds.
White and company came out of the huddle. Here is the moment history forgot:
The Punch: The Cowboys lined up, snapped the ball, and Lawrence Pillars shot through and punched the ball out of Danny White's hand. The Niners' Jim Stuckey came up with it. At that point, the game was essentially over, and the entire stadium, the entire country, and the entire world knew it. That's a team. That's a team effort, and I'm pretty sure Clark knew that too. That's why they became champs. That's why they became a dynasty. But "The Catch" remains my favorite moment of all time, and it happened in my favorite stadium. I salute you for that one, Dwight. We will all love you forever. Soak that one up.
Joe brought the offense on the field to take a knee, and he instantly dashed to the South end zone and tunnel. He already knew what was to happen.
The clock ran out, and the Niners were the Champions of the NFC. The crowd flooded the field. A few weeks later they traveled to Detroit for Super Bowl XV1. They outplayed and out-thought the Bengals, ending the Bengals' hopes with a dramatic goal-line stand, and with the toe of Ray Wersching.
But that's a story for another day.
11 To Dwight Clark, and to his family, friends and fans: thanks forever for faking Everson Walls out of his jock. You were and are a legend, and you will live in our hearts evermore. And hang in there dude. You got millions pulling for you.
12 Here's the game, and The Drive, The Catch, and the Punch. Hit the link, not the pic:
13 Gottago.
14 Have a GREAT day.
15 See you again.
16 Live life.
17 Love life.
18 Peace.
I got to be there, with my Mom, Dad, and most of the gang I used to be with at all the Kezar games. They had season tickets before there was such a thing. We grew up in a Niner neighborhood. And we hated the Dallas Cowboys and everything about them.
As a cold beer guy, I got to run around selling the most popular item in the stadium. I saw many great moments at both Kezar Stadium, where my Dad brought me as a kid, and at Candlestick Park, where I roamed, "poppin' and pourin' " as the vendos would put it.
6 The 49ers came into the game 13-3 following a miracle season and with the biggest chance to reach the Super Bowl in franchise history. They hosted a team that was already a dynasty. I won't go into the first three quarters of the game except to say that it was a bloodbath. After an entire game of back-and-forth huge plays, the Niners found themselves in the fourth quarter with the ball on the 11-yard line, and trailing 27-21 with 4:54 left in the game. They still had all three timeouts. I remember the clock, that's for sure. Agonizing, particularly since the Niners had turned the ball over six times.
7 4:54. Vivid.
8 The Drive:
9 I don't remember every play, just moments. Historically, here is how that amazing drive unfolded: On first down, Joe Montana threw a dropped pass to Lenvil Elliott. Elliott followed with a 6-yard run. On third-and-four, Montana found Freddie Solomon for a six-yard gain, and a first-and-ten on the 23. Montana then handed off to Elliott for an eleven-yard gain. I began working myself over to my family and friends, up in the East stands.
The Niners suddenly found themselves on their own 34. Montana again went to Elliott for a gain of seven. It was now second-and-three from their own 41. Montana whipped a ball right through Elliott, incomplete.
On third-and-three, with hope diminishing, the stress set in. High stakes. Movement. Whistle. Dallas off-side, five-yards and an automatic first down.
Montana then shifted and went to Earl Cooper for a quick gain of five, and the clock ticked down to the two-minute warning. Then came a Bill Walsh magic play. Montana went from his short game, straight-ahead offense to a reverse to wide receiver Freddie Solomon around the left side for a gain of fourteen. The Niners were not only in Dallas territory, but they were on the 35-yard line. Brilliant call. I arrived on the steps near my parents and friends, and looked over. I heard my strap clunk into my metal beer case. I saw the scratches inside, and the last drops of my last case swirling with dirt.
Thoughts ran through my head as an old-school Niner fan: "Oh my God don't score too early!" "First and ten, no turnovers dammit!" and, "Oh, s#it!" We glanced at each other, reading one another's thoughts. Tacit. Succinct.
Montana calmly found Dwight Clark on the right side for an easy gain of ten. Another first-and-ten, and Montana with yet another strike to Solomon for thirteen, ball now on the 12. The Niners called time with 1:15 left in the game.
They came out of the huddle, and Montana took a shot to the end zone, but missed Solomon.
On second-and-ten, Montana handed off again to Elliott, who gained a quick six yards. Elliott tore it up in that drive. The Niners called timeout with 58 seconds remaining.
Third and three. 58 seconds on the clock. Pure tension in golden hands. The stage, as it were, was set.
58 seconds.
10 The Catch: The play, heroically remembered as "Sprint-Right Option," was designed to go to Freddie Solomon, but Solomon slipped, and Joe found himself running to his right pursued by a fierce Ed "Too Tall" Jones and another band of Dallas thieves. Montana, back-pedaling, pump-faked Jones and then heaved the ball as high as possible into the right corner of the end zone. Clark, at the post, made a quick reverse to the right side, screened off Everson Walls, and jumped higher than I'd ever seen him, catching the ball at his fingertips, and sending delirious Niner fans into a frenzy. This included me, for that exact second. Maybe two seconds. Maybe three.
With fans still standing, I crouched on the steps. I said under my breath, "There's STILL 55 seconds left, and Danny White can ruin this fast."
Time stood still. I was ahead of the crowd, as was Bill Walsh. He knew how quickly Dallas quarterback Danny White could strike. And he did. Following a safe kickoff by Ray Wersching, the Cowboys were on their own 25 with 47 seconds remaining.
White wasted no time. With some fans still celebrating, White sent a bomb down the middle to Drew Pearson. Pearson pulled it down on the San Francisco 44. Eric Wright caught Pearson by the jersey, or he would have off to the races. GREAT play by Eric Wright. Monumental.
38 seconds.
White and company came out of the huddle. Here is the moment history forgot:
The Punch: The Cowboys lined up, snapped the ball, and Lawrence Pillars shot through and punched the ball out of Danny White's hand. The Niners' Jim Stuckey came up with it. At that point, the game was essentially over, and the entire stadium, the entire country, and the entire world knew it. That's a team. That's a team effort, and I'm pretty sure Clark knew that too. That's why they became champs. That's why they became a dynasty. But "The Catch" remains my favorite moment of all time, and it happened in my favorite stadium. I salute you for that one, Dwight. We will all love you forever. Soak that one up.
Joe brought the offense on the field to take a knee, and he instantly dashed to the South end zone and tunnel. He already knew what was to happen.
The clock ran out, and the Niners were the Champions of the NFC. The crowd flooded the field. A few weeks later they traveled to Detroit for Super Bowl XV1. They outplayed and out-thought the Bengals, ending the Bengals' hopes with a dramatic goal-line stand, and with the toe of Ray Wersching.
But that's a story for another day.
11 To Dwight Clark, and to his family, friends and fans: thanks forever for faking Everson Walls out of his jock. You were and are a legend, and you will live in our hearts evermore. And hang in there dude. You got millions pulling for you.
12 Here's the game, and The Drive, The Catch, and the Punch. Hit the link, not the pic:
13 Gottago.
14 Have a GREAT day.
15 See you again.
16 Live life.
17 Love life.
18 Peace.
~H~
fin.
No comments:
Post a Comment