Roger Craig Earns Hall of Fame Nod - and Raider Nation Has Every Right to Celebrate
In Raider Nation, there’s a saying that’s more than just a slogan: Once a Raider, always a Raider. And now, that brotherhood extends to a newly minted Hall of Famer. Roger Craig is heading to Canton as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, and while most of his legacy was built in red and gold, there’s a chapter in silver and black that Las Vegas fans won’t forget - and shouldn’t.
A Raider Season That Mattered
Craig’s time with the Raiders wasn’t long, but it was far from forgettable. In 1991, he suited up for the Los Angeles Raiders, starting 13 games for a team that finished 9-8.
That season, Craig didn’t just show up - he led the team in rushing, racking up 590 yards on 162 carries and finding the end zone once. He also added 17 receptions for 136 yards, proving he could still be a threat on passing downs.
This wasn’t a ceremonial final stop for a fading star. Craig shared the backfield with Marcus Allen, one of the franchise’s all-time greats, and played alongside a young Tim Brown who was just beginning to blossom into a future Hall of Famer himself. Craig’s contributions were real, tangible, and in true Raider fashion - tough, unselfish, and effective.
A Trailblazer at Running Back
Craig’s full NFL résumé reads like a blueprint for the modern all-purpose back. Drafted in the second round out of Nebraska in 1983, he quickly evolved into one of the most versatile offensive weapons of his era.
He finished his 11-year career with 8,189 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns on the ground. But where he truly changed the game was through the air - 566 receptions, 4,911 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Those numbers would be impressive for a wide receiver. For a running back in the '80s and early '90s?
Revolutionary.
In 1985, Craig became the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season - a feat that helped redefine what the position could be. He earned four Pro Bowl nods, won three Super Bowls with the 49ers, and took home the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in 1988. He wasn’t just a cog in a great system - he was an engine that powered it.
A Star-Studded Hall of Fame Class
Craig won’t be walking into Canton alone. The Class of 2026 is stacked with all-time greats: quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and kicker Adam Vinatieri are all part of this year’s elite group. It’s a lineup worthy of prime time, and Craig’s inclusion adds a versatile, game-changing dimension to the class.
Why Raider Nation Should Take Pride
Yes, Craig will be celebrated first and foremost as a 49ers legend - and rightfully so. But that doesn’t mean Raider Nation should sit this one out.
His time in the silver and black may have been brief, but it was meaningful. He carried the rock, led the team in rushing, and did it all with the same professionalism and toughness that defined his entire career.
For Las Vegas, this is a chance to embrace a Hall of Famer who once wore their colors and delivered on the field. It’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t always need a decade-long tenure to leave a mark. Sometimes, one year is enough - especially when that year reflects the grit and grind that Raider football is all about.
So when Roger Craig steps onto that stage in Canton on August 8, don’t be surprised if a few cheers come from the desert. He may be enshrined as a 49er, but make no mistake - he’ll always be a Raider, too.