Roger Craig Takes Major Step Toward Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

San Francisco 49ers icon Roger Craig moved one step closer to securing his long-awaited place in football immortality on Wednesday.

Selected by San Francisco in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft, Craig earned four Pro Bowl nods, a first-team All-Pro selection in 1988, and played a crucial role in three Super Bowl championship teams.

The former star running back was announced as one of five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, an honor that places him within striking distance of an induction many fans and analysts believe is long overdue.

Craig joins senior finalists Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood, legendary coach finalist Bill Belichick, and contributor finalist Robert Kraft on this prestigious shortlist.

To be officially enshrined, Craig must receive at least 80 percent approval from the Hall of Fame selection committee.

The voting process is highly competitive and intentionally selective.

Each committee member is permitted to vote for only three of the five finalists, and no more than three individuals from this entire group can ultimately be inducted alongside the modern-era selections in 2026.

The decisive vote is scheduled to occur next year in the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, a moment that could finally cement Craig’s legacy in Canton.

For many 49ers supporters, Craig’s prolonged absence from the Hall of Fame remains one of the most puzzling omissions in league history.

His résumé includes several groundbreaking achievements, highlighted by his historic 1985 campaign in which he became the first player ever to record a “thousand-thousand” season—surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same year.

Craig finished that season with 1,050 yards on the ground and 1,016 through the air, setting a standard for dual-threat running backs that would influence generations to come.

Craig’s dominance continued throughout the late 1980s. In 1988, he delivered one of the most complete seasons by a running back in NFL history, piling up 2,036 yards from scrimmage, including an impressive 1,502 rushing yards.

His blend of power, agility, and receiving ability made him a cornerstone of the 49ers’ innovative offense under Bill Walsh, and a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.

Over the course of his 11-year NFL career, Craig accumulated 8,189 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns, complemented by 4,911 receiving yards and 17 receiving scores.

His postseason contributions were equally significant: across 18 playoff games, he added 841 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 606 receiving yards, and two touchdown receptions, consistently elevating his performance on the biggest stages.

Now, with Hall of Fame recognition finally within reach, he stands on the verge of receiving the honor many believe he has long deserved.