SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Roger Craig changed football forever. Now his impact has earned the sport’s highest honor. The San Francisco 49ers congratulated the former running back on his selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The announcement places Craig among the greatest players in NFL history and cements his legacy as a pioneer of the modern running back role.
Craig entered the NFL with little fanfare. The 49ers selected him in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the 49th overall pick. He quickly proved he belonged on the league’s biggest stage. Craig spent the first eight seasons of his 11-year career with San Francisco, from 1983 to 1990. During that time, he became a cornerstone of one of the most dominant teams in football.
The 49ers praised Craig for his lasting influence. Team ownership said he revolutionized the running back position with his rare ability to run and catch at an elite level. They also credited him with helping the franchise reach its ultimate goal through Super Bowl championships and iconic performances.
Craig appeared in 121 regular-season games for the 49ers and started 116 of them. He rushed 1,686 times for 7,064 yards and scored 50 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 508 passes for 4,442 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. His production made him one of the most versatile offensive weapons of his era.
Those numbers still stand tall in franchise history. Craig ranks second in rushing attempts and tied for second in rushing touchdowns for the 49ers. He sits third in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. He ranks fourth in receptions and total touchdowns. His 508 receptions and 4,442 receiving yards remain the most by a running back in team history.
Craig also delivered when the pressure peaked. He started all 16 postseason games he played in for San Francisco. In those games, he rushed 202 times for 817 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 63 receptions for 606 yards and two more scores. His playoff success helped define the 49ers’ dynasty of the 1980s.
Craig won three Super Bowl titles with San Francisco. He lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowls XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. In Super Bowl XIX, he made history. Craig became the first player in the Super Bowl era to score three total touchdowns in one game, with two receiving scores and one rushing touchdown.
Craig’s 1985 season changed how teams viewed running backs. He rushed for 1,050 yards and caught passes for 1,016 yards. He became the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Only two other players have matched that feat since.
In 1988, Craig reached another peak. He rushed 310 times for 1,502 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 76 passes for 534 yards and one touchdown. His 2,036 yards from scrimmage led the NFL. The Associated Press named him Offensive Player of the Year.
Craig earned two All-Pro honors and four Pro Bowl selections during his career. He also received the 49ers’ Len Eshmont Award twice. The award recognizes inspirational and courageous play and stands as the team’s most prestigious annual honor.
The football world has long recognized Craig’s greatness. He joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 1980s All-Decade Team in 2010. The 49ers inducted him into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2011.
His Hall of Fame induction in 2026 completes the journey. Roger Craig did more than put up numbers. He reshaped an entire position. His success opened doors for future dual-threat running backs across the NFL. Now, his name will live forever in Canton, Ohio, where football’s legends stand.
