By Darin For three long years, the San Francisco 49ers had suffered an almost unbearable humiliation: consecutive playoff eliminations at the hands of Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. This rivalry had become a source of intense frustration, making the January 3, 1999, NFC Wild Card matchup at Candlestick Park the most high-stakes game of the decade for the 49ers franchise. It wasn’t just a playoff game; it was a desperate quest for redemption. The game lived up to the hype, providing a frantic, back-and-forth battle, setting the stage for one of the most unforgettable finishes in NFL history, appropriately nicknamed “The Catch II.”
The Packers, trailing early, fought back, and with just minutes left, Green Bay kicker Ryan Longwell nailed a field goal to give his team a 27-23 lead. With the clock winding down and the ghosts of past failures looming, 49ers quarterback Steve Young was tasked with leading a final, desperate drive down the field.
Article from Jan 4, 1999 The Modesto Bee (Modesto, California)
The drive was plagued by penalties and near-disasters, including a Young fumble that was miraculously recovered. With just eight seconds remaining and the 49ers on the Packers’ 25-yard line, Young took the snap. Under immediate pressure, he scrambled, avoided a sure sack, and unleashed a low, bullet pass into the middle of the field.
The target was second-year wide receiver Terrell Owens, who had struggled with drops throughout the contest. Owens was blanketed by two Packers defenders, but he leaped, the ball bouncing off one hand and then his helmet before he somehow wrestled it to his chest as he crashed into the end zone. The 30-27 victory immediately washed away years of playoff agony, simultaneously ending the Packers’ dynasty over San Francisco and launching the legendary, dramatic career of T.O.
Conclusion
“The Catch II” was more than a winning score; it was a symbolic exorcism of the Packers’ dominance and a monumental moment of relief for the 49ers faithful. For Terrell Owens, who secured the most important ball of his early career under intense pressure, the game became the launchpad for his Hall of Fame journey. January 3, 1999, remains a sacred date for 49ers fans—the day redemption was earned in the final, dramatic seconds.
