Did Roger Craig Just Get the Hall of Fame Nod? A Slip-Up Might’ve Spilled the Beans
It looks like one of the most glaring omissions in Canton history may finally be getting corrected - and the news might’ve broken a little earlier than intended.
During a live broadcast of the Up & Adams show from Radio Row at the Moscone Center, host Kay Adams sat down with 49ers owner Jed York for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from George Kittle’s injury status to Kyle Shanahan’s Coach of the Year buzz. But the most intriguing moment came when Adams pivoted to a topic close to the hearts of 49ers fans: the Hall of Fame candidacies of Frank Gore and Roger Craig.
After running through Gore’s impressive résumé - and noting he’s still waiting for his gold jacket - Adams casually dropped what sounded like a bombshell: “But Roger Craig did finally, well-deserved, get into the Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts?”
Cue the raised eyebrows.
York didn’t confirm the news outright, but his response was telling. He didn’t correct her. Instead, he launched into a heartfelt tribute to Craig, praising not just the player, but the person.
“Roger’s been waiting for so, so long,” York said. “I can’t think of anybody who changed the game more than Roger.
Roger is the kindest, sweetest person that you would ever meet. He’s somebody that I’ve always loved - I mean, since I was a little kid, he was always one of my favorite people in the world.”
That’s not a denial. And it’s certainly not the kind of response you’d expect if the Hall of Fame call hadn’t come through.
To be clear, there’s been no official confirmation - yet. The NFL, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Up & Adams show didn’t respond to requests for comment before publication. An NFL spokesperson reiterated that the league doesn’t have a hand in the selection process, something Commissioner Roger Goodell also noted earlier this week when asked about Bill Belichick’s reported Hall of Fame snub.
But the timing here is fascinating.
Craig’s Hall of Fame case has always been strong - three Super Bowl rings, four Pro Bowls, the 1988 AP Offensive Player of the Year award, and a spot on the NFL’s All-1980s Team. He was the first player in NFL history to rack up 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, and he did it when defenses were still allowed to hit you coming across the middle. He was a dual-threat weapon before the term became a scouting cliché.
Still, the Hall doors have stayed shut - until, possibly, now.
Recent leaks about Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly missing out on induction this year may have opened the door for another deserving name to get the nod. And Craig has had plenty of vocal support in recent years, with former teammates, coaches, and media members all rallying to his cause.
If this is indeed the moment Roger Craig finally gets his due, it’s fitting that it would come in San Francisco, during Super Bowl week, with the 49ers once again in the spotlight. And if Kay Adams’ comment was more than just a slip of the tongue, then Thursday night’s NFL Honors show - live from the Palace of Fine Arts - could be a long-awaited celebration for a player whose impact on the game still resonates.
For now, we wait. But if you're a 49ers fan, you might want to start chilling the champagne.