Roger Craig Finally Gets His Gold Jacket: 49ers, Huskers Legend Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
After more than 30 years of waiting, Roger Craig is headed to Canton.
The former Nebraska Cornhuskers standout and San Francisco 49ers star running back has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a long-overdue honor for one of the most versatile and impactful players of his era.
Craig was selected as a senior finalist by the Hall’s 12-person committee, which focuses on recognizing players whose contributions may have been overlooked in the standard voting process. His induction is a moment many in the football world have been waiting on - and one Craig himself has long hoped for.
A Pioneer in the Backfield
Craig wasn’t just good - he was revolutionary.
He was the first player in NFL history to rack up 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in the same season, a feat he accomplished in 1985. That dual-threat ability helped redefine what teams could ask of a running back. In today’s game, where versatility is king, Craig’s skill set would be tailor-made for any offense.
During his 11-year NFL career - eight of those with the 49ers - Craig was a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and a key cog in one of the most dominant dynasties the league has ever seen. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield gave Joe Montana and Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense another dimension, one that defenses were rarely equipped to handle.
Craig finished his career with over 13,000 yards from scrimmage and 73 total touchdowns. But his impact goes beyond the numbers. He was a tone-setter, a relentless competitor, and a leader on and off the field.
Nebraska Roots, NFL Greatness
Before Craig was cutting through NFL defenses, he was making noise in Lincoln.
A native of Davenport, Iowa, Craig came to Nebraska and became a star in Tom Osborne’s run-heavy offense. He rushed for over 2,400 yards during his college career and helped lead the Huskers to a pair of Big Eight titles. His bruising style, high-knee running form, and breakaway speed made him a fan favorite - and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Craig remains one of the most beloved figures in Nebraska football history, and his induction into the Hall of Fame is a proud moment for the program and its fans.
The Wait Is Over
Craig’s Hall of Fame case has been debated for years. Many believed his contributions - especially as a trailblazer at his position - warranted a gold jacket long ago. But with each passing year, the call never came.
That changed this week.
Craig received the news during a surprise visit from Hall of Fame president Jim Porter and 49ers legend Ronnie Lott, his former teammate and close friend. The moment was emotional. For a player who gave everything to the game - and who’s waited decades for this recognition - it was the culmination of a journey that started on the fields of Nebraska and peaked under the bright lights of Super Bowl Sundays.
A Legacy Cemented
Craig will be enshrined alongside the rest of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class later this year in Canton, Ohio. He joins a long list of 49ers legends already in the Hall, including Montana, Lott, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and Charles Haley - all teammates during one of the NFL’s golden eras.
But this moment is Craig’s.
It’s a celebration of a player who changed the way the game was played. A player who could run with power, catch with grace, and lead with heart. A player who helped define a dynasty and inspired a generation of backs who followed.
Roger Craig has always had the resume. Now, he has the recognition to match.