The class of 2024 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been officially announced. The list consisted of 60 senior players and former coaches. The senior players had to have played their last game no later than 1998. Of the players, former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig was listed. Craig definitely had a Hall of Fame career in San Francisco, and this is long overdue. Here is a look back on Roger Craig’s career and why he deserved to be inducted with the class of 2024.
Roger Craig’s Incredible Career
In the 1983 NFL Draft, a historic career for Craig began. In the second round, with the 49th overall pick, the San Francisco 49ers drafted their running back. Craig played with the 49ers from 1983 until 1990. In his time with San Francisco, Craig became a three times Super Bowl Champion. He made the Pro Bown four times, in 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989. He also made the 1988 First-Team All-Pro, as well as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. To top it all off, the running back made the All-Decade team in the NFL for the 1980s.
Former 49ers RB Roger Craig (33) – RVR Photos/USA TODAY Sports
Not only is Craig a three times Super Bowl champion, he was the first player to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl. He also still holds the record for most touchdowns in a Superbowl. His list of accomplishments on the San Francisco 49ers can go on forever. Craig was the first player in the NFL to rush and receiver for over 1,000 yards in the same year.
Following his time with San Francisco, Craig spent one year with the, at the time, Los Angeles Raiders, followed by two years with the Minnesota Vikings. However, 49ers fans may not want to acknowledge his time with the other teams; that did happen. Craig was never a starter for either of the two teams but did play in most games for the Raiders and the Vikings.
Roger Craig’s Top Stats
In Craig’s 11-year career, he rushed for 8,189 yards and 56 touchdowns in the regular season. He also had 4,911 regular season receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. This does not include the post-season, where he had plenty of experience in. While the majority of his post-season games come from the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings did make it for the two years, he was there, though he did not play much at all.
49ers RB Roger Craig (33) – George Rose/Getty Images
In the postseason, he ended up rushing for 841 yards, and seven touchdowns. Craig also had 606 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. The way he played in the postseason was special, and a big reason the 49ers won the three Super Bowls that he was a part of. In total, he rushed for 9,030 yards and received 5,517 yards. That is a Hall of Fame career.
Craig’s first Super Bowl with the 49ers was on January 20th, 1985 against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers won the game 38-16. In that game, the running back had 15 rushing attempts for 58 yards and one touchdown. He also had seven receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The next Super Bowl for Craig was the 49ers vs the Cincinnati Bengals. The 49ers won the game 20-16 on January 22nd, 1989. Craig rushed the ball 17 times for 71 yards and had eight receptions for 101 yards.
Craig’s final Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers was one of the best Super Bowls by the team. On January 28th, 1990, the San Francisco 49ers faced the Denver Broncos. The 49ers won the game 55-10. In that game, Craig had 20 rushing attempts for 69 yards and one rushing touchdown. He also had five receptions for 34 yards.
49ers RB Roger Craig (33) – David Madison/Getty Images
Not enough can be said about Roger Craig’s career. One of his best games may have been in the 1988 season in week seven. The 49ers faced the Los Angeles Rams. Craig ended up rushing the ball 22 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. He also had five receptions for 12 yards, but what stood out was his three rushing touchdowns. He could not be stopped that day.
Roger Craig being one of the semifinalists for the class of 2024 is special. The running back is more than deserving. A full list of the semifinalists can be read here. The next step in the process will be to narrow down the players and coaches to 12 in each group. More information should come out in August as the committee narrows down the selection. Hopefully, Roger Craig will be a member inducted into the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
