Roger Craig earned his place in Canton on Saturday. He doubted it would ever come, having waited 28 years since he became eligible.
“You spend your whole life trying to prove you belong, and then one day, you’re told you’re one of the all-time greats,” Craig said. “Man, it’s overwhelming. I think about that kid from Davenport who loved football. I think about the journey more than anything — the early mornings, the doubts, the sacrifices. It all led here.”
The 49ers selected Craig in the second round in 1983, and he became an integral part of their dynasty of the 1980s, winning three Super Bowl rings. Craig was the first player ever to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, which came in 1985, and he led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988.
"[49ers coach Bill Walsh] didn’t just want a running back. He wanted a complete football player,” Craig said. “He trusted me to do whatever the team needed. That’s why the 1,000 yards rushing, 1,000 yards receiving season means to much to me. We weren’t chasing numbers. We were chasing W’s — wins. I didn’t realize I was making history. It just felt like we were doing something special as a team. Looking back, I appreciate how difficult it is, and how few players have done it since.”
Craig, 66, taped his 10-minute speech, revealing at the end that he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia.
“My doctors believe may be related, at least in part, to the concussions I experienced during my career,” Craig said. “The changes were gradual. At first, they were easy to dismiss as normal aging. Over time, my family noticed it too and ultimately led us to seek answers from my doctor. Two things can be true: Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine. It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played, and I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn’t feel right. I want people to know this diagnosis doesn’t define me. I am still Roger Craig. I am still a father, a husband, a teammate, a friend and someone who loves this game and the people who brought it to my life. If sharing my story helps even one family or one former player, then it’s worth it. Football gave me everything.”
