American Football · 1982 · San Francisco, USA
The Catch
With under a minute left in the NFC Championship, Joe Montana lofts a pass toward the back of the end zone that Dwight Clark somehow reaches, launching the San Francisco 49ers' first Super Bowl run.
49ers 28-27 Cowboys
Result
51 seconds
Time remaining at score
49ers' first Super Bowl berth
Outcome
The San Francisco 49ers trailed the Dallas Cowboys 27-21 in the NFC Championship on 10 January 1982, needing a touchdown in the closing minute simply to reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history. On third down from the Dallas six-yard line, quarterback Joe Montana rolled right under heavy pressure from Cowboys pass rushers and, just before being hit, lofted the ball high toward the back corner of the end zone.
Receiver Dwight Clark, who had not been Montana's primary target on the play, timed his jump to its absolute peak and pulled the ball in with his fingertips over the outstretched arms of Dallas defensive back Everson Walls. The extra point made it 28-27, and San Francisco's defence held on to close out the win.
The play, forever known simply as The Catch, sent the 49ers to Super Bowl XVI, which they won for the franchise's first championship, and is credited with beginning the 49ers dynasty that collected four Super Bowl titles across the decade. It remains one of the most replayed images in NFL history.
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