'The Catch' from Joe Montana to Dwight Clark took place 35 years ago today
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wide receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers leaves a Dallas defender in his dust after making "The Catch" to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 28-27 in the 1981 NFC Championship Game on January 10, 1982 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
One of the most dramatic plays in NFL history took place 35 years ago. San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass caught by teammate Dwight Clark on Jan. 10, 1982, in what has been famously known as The Catch.
The scene: The NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park.
The Dallas Cowboys led 27-21 with 51 seconds left in the game, a Super Bowl berth on the line.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Vin Scully was on the call, noting that on third and three from the six, legendary Dallas coach Tom Landry was "six yards away from his sixth Super Bowl" and "the upstart 49ers were six yards away from Pontiac."
And then this happened:
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An extra point later and the Niners were on their way to Pontiac, Michigan, for the title, where they downed the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21.