Way-back Playback: Joe Montana, Dwight Clark and The Catch
Jan. 11, 1982 was the day Joe Montana brought America's team to its knees.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback had less than a minute and two downs left in the NFC championship against the Dallas Cowboys.
Down 27-21, Montana took the snap and ran a Sprint Right Option that was intended for receiver Freddie Solomon. But having scored on a carbon-copy play earlier in the game, the Cowboys defense read the play perfectly.
The Catch, as it's now known, was born out of spontaneity.
It wasn't supposed to happen the way it did. Montana was swarmed by three Cowboys defenders, so he threw for the end zone. Sure enough, the arms of Dwight Clark were there, as he leaped and pulled down one of the most pivotal touchdowns in 49ers history.
San Francisco kicked the extra point and held on for a 28-27 victory, securing a Super Bowl berth.
Montana reportedly never saw the play happen, as he was knocked to the ground moments after throwing the ball. When defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones told Montana, "You just beat America's team," the quarterback's response was priceless.
"Well, you can sit at home with the rest of America and watch the Super Bowl."