Roger Craig Finally Earns Hall Of Fame Enshrinement

Roger Craig’s wait is finally over. Nearly three decades after his last NFL snap, the legendary San Francisco 49ers running back will take his rightful place among football’s immortals as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The news broke during the NFL Honors event at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, sending a wave of excitement through fans of the 49ers and the broader football community. For Craig, who was in his 28th year of eligibility, the moment was both emotional and overdue.

Craig, a native of Davenport, Iowa, began his football journey at Davenport Central, where he led his high school team to a state championship in 1976 under head coach Jim Fox. He continued his ascent at the University of Nebraska, playing for the legendary Tom Osborne and earning All Big Eight honors in 1981. Drafted in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Craig quickly established himself as a force in the NFL.

It was in San Francisco where Craig truly made history. As a key cog in head coach Bill Walsh’s innovative West Coast offense, Craig’s unique combination of power, agility, and pass-catching ability redefined the running back position. In the 1985 season, he became the first player in NFL history to record both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season—a feat that has since been matched only by Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk in 1999 and Christian McCaffrey in 2019. His high-knee running style, honed as a track-and-field hurdles champion at Nebraska, became iconic as he bowled over defenders and racked up highlight-reel plays.

Craig was a central figure in the 49ers’ dynasty years, helping the team capture three Super Bowl titles in eight seasons. His performance in Super Bowl XIX remains legendary: Craig became the first player ever to score three touchdowns in a single Super Bowl, powering San Francisco to a 38-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers’ statement about his induction captured his impact perfectly: “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.”

Craig’s career numbers speak for themselves. Over 11 NFL seasons—including stints with the Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings—he amassed 13,100 yards from scrimmage and scored 73 touchdowns. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 after rushing for a career-high 1,502 yards and finishing third in MVP voting. His versatility and durability set a new standard for running backs, and his induction into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame further cements his legacy with the franchise.

The 2026 Hall of Fame class is a star-studded group, with Craig joined by quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and kicker Adam Vinatieri. The announcement of the class during the NFL Honors telecast on February 5, 2026, was met with widespread acclaim, but the process behind the selections has generated its share of controversy.

Craig’s induction came through the senior players ballot, a process that has been the subject of debate in recent years. This year, the ballot included three senior players—Craig, Ken Anderson, and L.C. Greenwood—as well as one coach (Bill Belichick) and one contributor (Patriots owner Robert Kraft). Each of the 50 Hall of Fame selection committee members was allowed to cast up to three votes, with a candidate needing at least 80% approval (40 votes) to secure induction. In a twist that surprised many, Craig was the only candidate from this group to reach the threshold.

The exclusion of Bill Belichick, the NFL’s all-time leader in Super Bowl wins among coaches, was particularly shocking. The mechanics of the voting system—limiting voters to three choices among five deserving candidates—meant that some, like committee member Vahe Gregorian, prioritized senior players who might not get another chance. Gregorian explained, “All of that went into why I felt duty-bound to vote for the richly deserving seniors, who most likely won’t ever have a hearing again as more senior candidates enter the pool and fresh cases get made for others. Meanwhile, Belichick is inevitable soon … as he should be. At the risk of contradicting my own vote, really, he shouldn’t even have to wait. I understand why people are offended that he isn’t going in the first moment he can. In the end, though, I felt more compelled by what I perceive to be last chances and looming lost causes within the system as we have it—a system I hope the Hall will see fit to change now.”

The controversy has sparked calls for a reevaluation of the Hall of Fame voting process. Critics argue that the current system, which pits senior players, coaches, and contributors against each other for a limited number of spots, can lead to deserving individuals being left out—not because of their credentials, but because of procedural quirks and strategic voting. This year’s results, with Craig getting the nod while Belichick and others were left waiting, have only intensified the debate.

Still, for Roger Craig and his supporters, the focus is on celebration. His journey from Davenport to Canton is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and sustained excellence at the highest level of football. From high school championships to NFL records and now a Hall of Fame gold jacket, Craig’s story is one of breaking barriers and inspiring generations of players to come.

As the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on Canton to honor one of the game’s most dynamic and influential running backs. While the debate over the voting system continues, there’s no question that Roger Craig’s induction is a triumph for those who value versatility, longevity, and championship pedigree. His legacy, now immortalized in the Hall, will resonate for years to come.