The Catch: Fans & Fashion of 49ers/Cowboys ‘82

Fans of (American) Football will know all about ‘The Catch’ in the ’81 NFC Championship game between the 49ers and Cowboys. It was a winning touchdown in what was described as a “barn burner” of a match, with Joe Montana throwing to Dwight Clark, and symbolically ending Dallas’ domination of the NFC, and ushering the rise of the San Francisco dynasty.

The full game coverage is on YouTube, and in the footage, while the football is great and the story of the normally lovely Joe Montana shouting “Respect THAT, motherfucker!” at the Cowboys’ defence, one of the stars of the show is the fashion of the fans.

With that, let us look at what was being worn by football fans on that famous January day in San Francisco, ‘82.

Furs were a big deal in the early ’80s. Disco’s fashion was still in full force, and of course, if you wanted to show people you had a bit of money, you spent well on your coat.

The ladies of Dynasty would be seen in huge furs, so obviously, women wanted furs of their own.

Of course, there was still a call for dressing up like a Malboro Man in the early ’80s. Men wore a lot of plaid, and stetsons were a big deal in the stadium that day. Paired up with some big sunglasses with smoked lenses, or in one case, a tan leather jacket and matching gloves.

A red cowboy hat and a gold 49ers silk jacket is a very, very, very strong look.

There were other strong looks as well. Taking a puppet to the game with you is a bold move, as is wearing a gingham blazer with a yellow foam hand. Glamorous grans with bows, kids in quilted jackets, and couples in matching yellow sweaters, and the guy in a yellow sweatshirt with a black dickie under to match his Ray Bans — outstanding work.

There’s always wacky fans, including this bucket hat/bigfoot combo. Of course, sharp as ever, was Tom Landry. Landry’s fedora is so famous, that Homer Simpson owns one, which he calls the ‘decision hat’.

However, the stand-out fan who saw The Catch, is the guy who went to a football game in a white fedora, with white suit and black shirt. Pure 100% disco, and seemingly stood a few rows in front of Ricky Tomlinson.

No sporting event ever made it to legendary status without the fans, and to those that were there back at the start of 1982, you have this motherfucker’s respect.