January 10, 2012: The Thirtieth Anniversary Of The Catch
by David Fucillo on Jan 10, 2012 6:00 PM PST
in 49ers History
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PrintThe San Francisco 49ers have plenty to deal with heading into this Saturday's NFC Divisional Round matchup with the New Orleans Saints. While there is plenty to discuss and analyze heading into that game, that doesn't mean we can't still have a little fun.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of The Catch. It is one of the most famous plays in NFL history and marks the turnaround of the 49ers from struggling franchise to Team of the '80s. The hiring of Bill Walsh, the drafting of Joe Montana and a variety of other events were essential, but this is that one moment when things changed.
The Cowboys were the team to beat year in and year out in the NFC and this victory marked a changing of the guard. The 49ers had beat them handily during the regular season, but prior to 1981, the Cowboys had won five straight and seven of eight, including two playoff eliminations in 1970 and 1971.
Head after the jump to view entire drive leading up to The Catch with play-by-play coming from Vin Scully.
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Holy shit! (Sorry ... that's what happens when you get old ... like me!) ...
It seems like yesterday! But, you know what? I was just thinking about a post that I want to put up within the next 5-13 days, and I am just as excited now as I was then. We have great times ahead of us. Go Niners!!
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 10, 2012 6:10 PM PST reply actions
I only been a fan since 1990.
I know how you feel. Can’t wait for the game! I’m sure the post you are going to write will be very good.
Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!
by chris z on Jan 10, 2012 9:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
THE CATCH
This is THE signature moment in my life as athlete, fan, and Sports Med Surgeon. You would have to have been a fan pre1970, on to ‘81 to understand. Hate, HATE the Cowboys, and is a scar on this resurgent season.
This Sat. is prime time, and the entire team, coaches, off, def, and ST’s need to answer the bell. The 80’s and 90’s spoiled us, well, spoiled no more. Will be a great season either way, but would love to see a post-season win!
by TheCatch81 on Jan 11, 2012 4:03 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
There was so much energy in the crowd. Just immense.
You could feel it coming. What a great day for Niner fans. Seeing those Elliott sweeps and the Solomon reverse made me feel old as well, .It doesn’t seem like yesterday to me though. It seems like another lifetime, another world. I have a feeling Candlestick is gonna be rockin’.
It's been a long time coming, And the table's turned around
Cause one of us is goin', One of us is goin' down
That's how this crowd needs to be throughout the entire game.
No matter what the score or down… on defense, Niners fans need to get as loud as they possibly can.
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The Hometown Fan
David Slayed Goliath That Day....
The Cowboys were the big boy on the block, even tho Staubach had retired. I still hate the Cowboys to this day. Credit to Danny White, how many QB’s also punted besides George Blanda? Also, bring back the oversized stud shoulder pads, very manly.
Let’s do it again this weekend!
Agent Dunham....Walternate testified that in his universe, AleX Smith is a pro-bowl QB for the Saints, and broke Trent Dilfer's season record of 6000 yards passing. Walter....Thats nice, more LSD please.
Replay tonight
on the NFL network
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825e0e26/article/thirty-years-later-memories-of-the-catch-still-linger?module=HP11_content_stream
Last night I slept like a baby...I woke up every hour crying
Jim Harbaugh
That game was...
very emotional for me. Gotta say it made me a little teary to see it again like that. Thank you Niners.
I was only 4 years old... The only memory I have of that game during was my Dad
jumping off the couch and up and down and splashing beer on my arm… the smile on his face was ear to ear and noises he was making were fun but also startling haha
A lot of people forget that it was Stuckey who sealed the game, much like a few of our defensive players have done this year (Smith – Eagles game, Grant – Seahawks game).
I have the game on DVD, and have watched it a few times as an adult but I am sure there was nothing like it, living in that moment as an adult. Although, I thoroughly remember ‘84, ’88, ’89, and ’95. 1984 was less clear but I remember more of that one than the sole memory of ’81… but ’88,’89, and ’95 are all crystal clear for me still to this day.
I would like to have DVD’s for all of our Superbowls… including the one we will have for 2011-2012 :)
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Good thing there is ESPN classic. I could only imagine how it was to watch those games live.
Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!
by chris z on Jan 10, 2012 9:14 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
The Dark Ages of antennae television. Everything all slightly hazy around the edges.
Or do I mean the good old days? There’s that nostalgic charm in this old footage.
Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh
Well hopefully the 49ers teams of the upcoming decade can provide you with some memories similar.
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That would be awesome, cause after ‘02 it hasn’t been very peachy…..till now.
Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!
by chris z on Jan 11, 2012 7:01 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I was 5 going on 6 for this game
I wasn’t fortunate enough to remember it. My son just turned six. Let’s hope he will be watching the 49ers in the NFC Championship with me and we see another play like this to take the 49ers to the Super Bowl!
I'm in love with a man. A man called Harbaugh. Does that make me gay? Am I gay for Harbaugh? You betcha!
6 turnovers and 109 penalty yards
How the hell did we win that game?
It's the logo for my favorite band!
by positiveuphemism on Jan 10, 2012 8:36 PM PST reply actions
Dang football looks so different compared to today.
Wide receivers and running backs down in a 5 point stance? Over sized shoulder pads and Joe Montana with 3 interceptions? Weeeeiiiiiiiiiiird :P
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Jan 10, 2012 8:40 PM PST reply actions
sorry, THREE point stance :P
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Jan 10, 2012 8:41 PM PST up reply actions
LOL
they were large men
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 10, 2012 9:25 PM PST up reply actions
david akers article
by Rick Reilly on ESPN. good read. big F U iggles. sorry, i had to.
NFL Network is playing the game now.
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The Hometown Fan
+1
Alex Smith Will Win a Superbowl
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alex-Smith-Will-Win-a-Superbowl/205058042848290
Was that Vin Scully doing the play by play?
"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son."
Yup...with Hank Stram on the commentary
How ironic that the voice of the Dodgers called the greatest moment in Niner history.
Yeah I was thinking the same thing
An LA sports icon calling the seminal moment of the niners dynasty.
"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son."
by bakoninerfan on Jan 10, 2012 9:48 PM PST up reply actions
He probably hated every second of it.
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The Hometown Fan
The 30 year anniversary of the catch just makes this season that much more symbolic
Time to start this decade like we started the 80’s!
Alex Smith Will Win a Superbowl
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alex-Smith-Will-Win-a-Superbowl/205058042848290
Does that mean its time to party like the 80’s?
Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!
by chris z on Jan 11, 2012 7:03 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
it's the greatest thing ever
I didn’t see it when it happened, as I was only 6, but when I was 8 I saw it on a commercial for a MNF game between the 49ers and Cowboys and I instantly knew that I had to watch that game. Since then, I’ve loved football and the 49ers.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 10, 2012 9:32 PM PST reply actions
God bless those fans who have saved all their VHS footage of these great games
And shared it with us. I wasn’t alive yet to witness The Catch, but got to grow up during some good times for the Niners in the ‘80s and ’90s. So proud of this team’s history. And cheers to the good times to come!
The Catch is still amazing, but really it’s that whole drive. The Drive! That reverse! Solomon! Clark! Eliot!
Poor Montana was barely hanging in there at one point, he was short of breath and trying in vain to signal for a timeout, from what I remember seeing in an interview. Just makes him all the more incredible.
Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh
watching this game on home...
and cheering like I don’t know whats gonna happen next. Wish I could have seen this in person!!! What a game!!!
"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote
by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Jan 10, 2012 10:25 PM PST reply actions
God, I hate Dallas.
"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote
by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Jan 10, 2012 10:26 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Honey badger don’t care about Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones.
by LondonNiner on Jan 10, 2012 11:22 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Honey badger don't care about no breesus either.
"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote
by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Jan 10, 2012 11:44 PM PST up reply actions
NFLN should replay this game every January 10
Or at least the fourth quarter. The fashion and smoking in the crowd is priceless enough, but any chance to hear Vin Scully call one of the most famous plays in NFL history is worthy of its own day.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Speaking of Fashion
I’d forgotten about the beanies with the big yarn ball on top. I had one of those, and from the crowd shots it looked like everyone else did too.
Oops
That was supposed to be a reply to SpurredOn just above.
by peanut gallery on Jan 11, 2012 9:56 AM PST up reply actions
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