Legacy of NFL football legend unites fans in Charlotte against ALS
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — San Francisco has advanced to the Super Bowl after defeating Detroit, giving 49ers fans in Plaza Midwood one more chance to root for the team with their friends this season.
Charlotte is home to a loyal group known as the 49ers Faithful. They plant the team flag each week at The Clubhouse in Plaza Midwood, where they experience the highs and lows together on game days.
Chiefs, 49ers advance to Super Bowl
“The energy that we share, and the love that we share, it transcends the sport of football,” says Michael Narvios, who’s president of the local chapter.
“We are a family, we love each other,” Narvios said.
“My father was a 49er fan, his father was a 49er fan,” explains John Kyne, originally from Northern California.
They’re all Niners fans for different reasons.
While some are lifelong supporters, others remember a San Francisco legend from his humble beginnings in Charlotte.
The allegiance is so deep, that Narvios broke into song with his guitar.
“Sometimes it’s hard to smile, you used to smile through the pain,” Narvios sings.
His tune “The Catch 87” is about late 49ers legend Dwight Clark, who once starred at Garinger High in Charlotte. It brings back a flood of bittersweet memories.
In 1982, Clark’s touchdown grab known simply as “The Catch” beat the Cowboys and vaulted the Niners to the Super Bowl.
In 2018, he died after being diagnosed with ALS.
Months after he passed, a statue was unveiled outside Levi’s Stadium commemorating his high-flying catch.
“We can see you making plays up in heaven,” Narvios sang, giving one of Clark’s dear friends from Garinger— Linda Shuford-Reeves— a rollercoaster of emotions.
“The feelings, if you knew him, he’s very missed,” Shuford-Reeves said.
Shuford-Reeves is a 49ers fan because of Clark and raises money to fight ALS in his memory. She asks fans to support ALS United North Carolina. You can dedicate a donation to Clark’s memory by typing the words “The Catch 87” or “Dwight Clark.”
Hearing the song again touched Linda’s heart.
“You may have left us, but you’re never really gone. We can see you making plays up on heaven… The Captain of the Catch 87,” Narvios sings, as tears rolled down Shuford-Reeves’ face.
“The words that I wrote down mean more to somebody else than it even does to me, because she knew him personally,” Narvios told Queen City News.
“It’s hard to listen to, I still miss him, which is why I do what I do, and it’s a beautiful song,” said Shuford-Reeves.
We all choose our team for a different reason, and sometimes it has nothing to do with sports.
“Thank you!” Shuford-Reeves said, hugging Narvios after his song rendition.
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