Like the documentary that preceded it, the new book celebrates the life and legacy of former 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark, who passed away last June at the age of 61 after his battle with ALS. According to Amazon, the book features photos and heartfelt letters from fans of Clark and will become available on August 7. Pre-orders, however, can be made now.
The book also features essays by former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., quarterback Joe Montana, safety Ronnie Lott, KNBR host Brian Murphy, and Dwight's wife, Kelly.
Below is the full description from Amazon.
Football fans will always remember "The Catch" as the moment a dynasty was born. When Dwight Clark received the touchdown pass that sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in 1982, an indelible moment was etched into the history of the NFL. Later, as Clark battled ALS, he and sportswriter Matt Maiocco put out a call to friends and fans, asking them to share their memories of this moment. The letters that Clark and Maiocco received tell the story of how the man who wore number 87 brought together a city and a franchise.
The idea originated from a podcast interview with Clark in February of 2017, when the former 49ers receiver told Maiocco that he would love to gather the stories from fans surrounding "The Catch," the historical play which catapulted the 49ers into an iconic dynasty.
"I've often thought that if I could get the word out somehow to get the stories, I should put a book together of the stories that these 49er fans lived through at that moment," Clark said. "Hopefully, long after I'm gone, 49er fans will still enjoy that play and that year, that team that started it all."
That's when Maiocco started working to make that dream come true. Following the documentary, he continued to gather fan stories for the book. Maiocco later informed 49ers Webzone that all proceeds resulting from the book's sales would go to support the Golden Heart Fund, which was Clark's charity of choice.
Click here to view the Amazon listing for 'Letters to 87: Fans Remember the Legacy of Dwight Clark' and pre-order your copy today. It is available in hardcover for $19.25.
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