Letters to 87: Fans Remember the Legacy of Dwight Clark

Football fans will always remember The Catch as the moment a dynasty was born. When Dwight Clark received the touchdown pass that sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in 1982, one of the sport’s most indelible moments was etched into the history of the league. But for all the significance of The Catch, it was the man behind the play that 49ers fans hold closest to their hearts.

As Clark was battling ALS, he and sportswriter Matt Maiocco put out a call to friends and fans, asking them to share their memories of this moment - a split-second that connected a generation of 49ers faithful forever. The letters that Clark and Maiocco received collectively tell the story of how the man who wore number 87 brought together a city and a franchise through his sincerity, his loyalty, and his spirit for life and the game. These heartfelt, inspiring, and often-humorous recollections are accompanied by an extraordinary array of photos, taken by Sports Illustrated photographer Brad Mangin, of Clark and his team, family, and devoted fans. This celebration is a remembrance of one of sport’s most-loved figures, who became a hero not only for making one of the most notable catches in NFL history but also for the strength and grace with which he fought his debilitating disease.