Dwight Clark Cause of Death: San Francisco 49ers Great Known for 'the Catch' Dead at 61

Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark died on Monday after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

His wife, Kelly, shared the news via his Twitter account, explaining Clark passed away peacefully.

"I'm heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband," she wrote.

"He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. I am thankful for all of Dwight's friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS. Kelly Clark."

The 61-year-old had battled the disease since he first reported signs of weaknesses in his left hand almost three years ago. However, the diagnosis did not become public until March last year, when Clark disclosed it on former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr.'s website.

"I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched," DeBartolo said in a statement.

"He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a great friend and teammate. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease.

"I will always remember Dwight the way he was—larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the only one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade.

Clark spent his whole NFL career with the 49ers and the franchise said it had lost an ambassador and one of the most beloved figures in the team's history.

"The San Francisco 49ers family has suffered a tremendous loss today with the passing of Dwight Clark," the team said in a statement.

"We extend our condolences and prayers to Dwight's wife, Kelly, his family, friends and fans, as we join together to mourn the death of one of the most beloved figures in 49ers history.

"For almost four decades, he served as a charismatic ambassador for our team and the Bay Area. Dwight's personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. Dwight will always carry a special place in our hearts and his legacy will live on as we continue to battle this terrible disease."

Drafted in the 10^th round of the 1979 draft, three years later Clark was on the receiving end of one of the most famous plays in NFL history. With the 49ers trailing 27-21 against the Dallas Cowboys in the final minute of play of the 1982 NFC Championship Game, Clark soared to catch a pass from San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana in the back of the end zone.

The play, which has since been known simply as "The Catch," gave the 49ers a 28-27 win and saw them advance to Super Bowl XVI, which would return their first national title. For many, "The Catch" was the trigger for San Francisco's dynasty across the 1980s, which saw the 49ers win four Super Bowl and make four playoff appearances in 10 seasons.

"Dwight was a vibrant charismatic soul!! Jennifer and I are heartbroken over his passing," Montana wrote on Twitter on Monday. "While we knew it was inevitably coming, it came way [too] soon! We are grateful for the decades of love and friendship we shared."

Clark, who was the league's receptions leader in 1982, left the NFL in 1987 and become the 49ers general manager 12 months later, while the franchise and the 49ers retired his number 87 in the same year.

The North Carolina native is the fourth 49ers player to succumb to ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after Bob Walters, Matt Hazeltine and Gary Lewis, who all played for San Francisco in 1964.