On January 10, 1982, a moment that would forever define the San Francisco 49ers franchise unfolded at Candlestick Park. With just 58 seconds left in the NFC Championship Game, quarterback Joe Montana rolled out, dodged defenders and threw a pass to wide receiver Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone. Clark leaped into 49ers history, securing a dramatic 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Reflecting on that unforgettable day, Montana and the late Dwight Clark recounted the moments before the NFC Championship victory.

As the 49ers approached the end zone, head coach Bill Walsh called for the now-iconic "sprint right option."
"I come to the sideline, and I can hear Bill is talking on the headset to (quarterbacks and passing game coordinator) Sam Wyche, and they're talking about sprint right option," Clark said. "I knew I had a chance to get the ball, but my main job was to help get WR Freddie Solomon open."

"Dwight never caught the ball on this play until then," Montana said. "And Bill made us do it, and we both thought he was crazy, because we never throw the ball to him."

"It was just an absolutely perfect throw," Clark said. "And in this magical moment, Joe Montana got it done."

This iconic play, famously known as "The Catch," not only sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl but also transformed the franchise's legacy. It marked the beginning of a dynasty, with San Francisco going on to win five Super Bowl titles throughout the 1980-90s.

"I figured 'The Catch' would be a big deal because it got us to the Super Bowl," Clark said. "But I didn't understand the big picture and how important it was to the franchise and to the Bay Area until much later."

Today, we celebrate the anniversary of "The Catch" – a play that transcends football and lives on as a defining memory for the Faithful.