Roger Craig Finally Gets His Gold Jacket: 49ers Great, Iowa Native Headed to Canton
It’s been a long time coming, but Roger Craig is finally getting his due. The former San Francisco 49ers star and Davenport Central High School standout is officially part of football immortality-he’s headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Craig was announced as one of five inductees in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 during the NFL Honors show at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. And while the spotlight naturally shined on first-ballot selections like Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, Craig’s moment was arguably the most emotional-and certainly one of the most overdue.
The 65-year-old Craig was selected in the seniors category, earning his gold jacket in his 28th year of eligibility. When he stepped onto the stage Thursday night, you could see the weight of the moment hit him. There were tears, there was joy, and there was a sense of history finally being made right.
CBS Sports later shared a heartfelt video of Craig getting the news from none other than Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley-two fellow 49ers legends and Hall of Famers themselves. For a player who helped define an era in San Francisco, it was a fitting way to receive the call.
From Davenport to the NFL’s Mountaintop
Craig’s football journey began in the heart of Iowa. Though born in Preston, Mississippi, he grew up in Davenport, where he quickly made a name for himself as a multi-sport athlete at Davenport Central High School. He wasn’t just good-he was dominant.
In 1976, Craig led his high school football team to an undefeated season and a 4A state championship. That year, he racked up 1,565 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns-earning All-American honors and setting the stage for what would become a legendary career.
After graduating in 1979, Craig took his talents to Nebraska, where he played under College Football Hall of Famer Tom Osborne. Over four seasons with the Cornhuskers, he totaled 2,446 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He was a three-year starter and a key piece of some powerful Nebraska offenses.
The 49ers saw his potential and selected him in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft, 49th overall. From there, Craig became a cornerstone of one of the most iconic dynasties in NFL history.
A Trailblazer in the Backfield
During his time in San Francisco, Craig helped the 49ers win three Super Bowls, made four Pro Bowl appearances, and earned two All-Pro selections. But his impact went far beyond accolades.
In 1988, Craig put together one of the greatest all-around seasons by a running back in NFL history. He led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,036 and scored 10 touchdowns. That performance earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors and a third-place finish in MVP voting.
He was more than just a runner-he was a prototype for the modern dual-threat back. Craig was the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season (1985), a feat that’s still rare today. His versatility helped redefine the position and gave Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense an added dimension that defenses simply couldn’t handle.
Craig wrapped up his career with stints in Los Angeles (Raiders) and Minnesota, retiring in 1993 with over 13,000 total yards and 73 touchdowns. He was named to the NFL’s All-1980s Team, a nod to his consistency and dominance throughout the decade.
Iowa’s Hall of Fame Club Grows by One
With his induction, Craig becomes just the second Iowan to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Kurt Warner. Warner, the former Northern Iowa quarterback and Super Bowl MVP, was enshrined in 2017. Craig’s inclusion gives Iowa another name in Canton-and a player whose roots in the state run deep.
Mark Your Calendars
The Class of 2026 will be officially enshrined on August 8 in Canton, Ohio. Alongside Craig, the class includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Vinatieri and Kuechly both made it in their second year of eligibility, but Craig’s journey was different-a reminder that greatness sometimes waits in the wings before it’s fully recognized.
Now, after nearly three decades of waiting, Roger Craig will take his rightful place among the game’s legends. And for fans in San Francisco, Nebraska, and back home in Davenport, it’s a celebration that’s been a long time coming.