Battling ALS, Dwight Clark happy to see 49ers teammates ‘one more time'

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SANTA CLARA – Former 49ers wide receiver and team executive Dwight Clark, who is battling ALS, made remarks at halftime during Dwight Clark Day.

Clark, 60, met with dozens of his former teammates before the game. More than 35 players off the 49ers' first Super Bowl champion were on the field, as Joe Montana introduced Clark.

From a suite at Levi’s Stadium, Clark made the following remarks:

“Hello, my 49er Faithful!

“I want to thank you for all your support when I was a player. And I think you all know I’m going through a little thing right now. And I need your prayers and thoughts, and I appreciate those you’ve given me.

“I’d like to thank the York family for putting this day together. These are unique days. Having all the players flown back in here so I could see them one more time, passing out the T-Shirts. It’s a big day and I’m very appreciative Jed did that for me.

“When Keena Turner asked me what I wanted to do to raise money or have some kind of function. I said I just wanted to see my teammates. And the 49ers heard that and flew all these players in, so I could see them one more time.

“I obviously want to thank my family. It’s been a tough year, and they’ve been through a lot. Of course, they supported me when I was a player. But now they have the support in a different way. I want to thank my daughter Casey, my son, Mack, my brother, Jeff, and his family. And I appreciate all the support they’re given me over these trying times.”

Clark said former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo created a family with the 49ers. And DeBartolo is still taking care of his former players.

“He’s called all over the world trying to find the best remedy for ALS,” Clark continued. “He sent me to Japan to get medicine there. . . I could never, ever thank the DeBartolo family and Eddie D (enough).”

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