Roger Craig Finally Gets His Gold Jacket: 49ers Legend Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026
It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over - Roger Craig is officially headed to Canton.
The former San Francisco 49ers running back, a three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most versatile offensive weapons in NFL history, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 on Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco. For 49ers fans and longtime football purists, this moment isn’t just a celebration - it’s a long-overdue recognition of a player who helped redefine what the running back position could be.
Craig wasn’t just ahead of his time. He changed the game.
The Blueprint for the Modern Back
Let’s talk about that 1985 season - the one that etched Roger Craig’s name into the NFL history books. That year, he became the first player ever to rack up over 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
Think about that for a second. In an era when backs were mostly bruisers between the tackles, Craig was out there catching passes like a wide receiver and still grinding out yards between the lines.
He finished with 1,050 rushing yards and 1,016 receiving yards - a dual-threat performance that’s only been matched twice since.
That kind of production wasn’t just flashy - it was foundational. It opened the door for the likes of Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Christian McCaffrey. Craig didn’t just play the position; he expanded its definition.
A Career Built on Consistency and Championships
Craig was drafted by San Francisco in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft (49th overall), and from the moment he stepped onto the field, he was a difference-maker. Over eight seasons with the 49ers (1983-1990), he appeared in 121 games (116 starts), piling up 7,064 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns on 1,686 carries. But that’s only half the story.
Through the air, Craig added 508 receptions for 4,442 yards and 16 touchdowns - numbers that still stand as the most by a running back in franchise history. He was a matchup nightmare, a safety valve and a deep threat rolled into one. Defensive coordinators had to account for him on every down, in every formation.
And then there’s the postseason. Craig started all 16 playoff games he appeared in, tallying 817 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, plus 606 receiving yards and two more scores. He was at his best when the lights were brightest, including a historic performance in Super Bowl XIX, where he became the first player in the Super Bowl era to score three total touchdowns in a single game (two receiving, one rushing).
Hall of Fame-Worthy Honors
Craig’s resume is loaded with accolades. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1986, 1988-1990), a two-time All-Pro (Second Team in 1985, First Team in 1988), and the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 after leading the league with 2,036 yards from scrimmage.
That ’88 campaign was Craig at his most dominant: 310 carries, 1,502 rushing yards (third in the league), nine rushing touchdowns, plus 76 catches for 534 yards and another score. He was the engine of a 49ers offense that would go on to win Super Bowl XXIII.
He also took home the Len Eshmont Award - the 49ers' most prestigious honor - twice (1985 and 1988), recognizing his inspirational and courageous play.
A Legacy Cemented
Craig’s place in 49ers lore is undeniable. He ranks top five in franchise history in nearly every major offensive category: second in rushing attempts, tied for second in rushing touchdowns, third in rushing yards, third in total yards from scrimmage (11,506), fourth in receptions, and fourth in total touchdowns (66).
His impact wasn’t just statistical - it was cultural. He helped define the golden era of 49ers football, playing a key role in three Super Bowl wins (XIX, XXIII, and XXIV).
He was named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team in 2010 and inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2011. But until now, the gold jacket - the ultimate honor - had eluded him.
That changes now.
A Fitting Tribute
The 49ers released a statement Thursday night, congratulating Craig on his long-awaited Hall of Fame induction:
“Roger Craig was a player who revolutionized the running back position, delivering one of the most historic individual seasons in NFL history to date. Over the entirety of his career, Roger not only amassed high-level production and statistics as both a runner and pass catcher, but he helped the 49ers reach the ultimate goal of Super Bowl Championships with iconic performances. We applaud Roger for his induction and rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
It’s hard to put it better than that.
Roger Craig didn’t just play football - he helped evolve it. And now, after years of waiting, he’ll take his rightful place among the game’s all-time greats in Canton.