What is the origin of the expression "clutch" used in sports?

Question

Does any one know when it was first used? What was the context in which it was used?

Answer 1

back in the day, and i think it was a Thursday in fact, it used to be difficult for someone to learn to drive a standard transmission, which involved using a clutch. hence, when someone got into a situation that required a little more thinking or stress it was called a clutch situation. Kurt Gowdy was the first to use the phrase. i dont know if this is true but it sounds good

Answer 2

I have no idea when but yes it is frequently used in sports basically describing the final minutes or most crucial moments in a game.