Roger Craig and fellow San Francisco 49ers legend Frank Gore are both vying for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. The announcement for this year”s class is set for Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
Former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana emphasized Craig”s significant impact on the team”s offense during the 1980s, stating, “He meant everything to that offense.” Craig has been a finalist for the Hall of Fame multiple times, having advanced in 2010 and 2020 as a modern-era candidate. Currently, as a Seniors finalist, there is growing anticipation that his 32-year wait for induction will finally come to an end.
Reports from ESPN suggest that first-ballot candidates such as Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft faced snubs, which may favor Craig”s chances. Meanwhile, Gore, the NFL”s third-leading rusher of all time, could also miss out on immediate induction, despite his impressive career statistics and significant contributions to the sport.
Craig, now 65, became the first player in NFL history to achieve 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season in 1985, a feat only matched by Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey since. Montana highlighted Craig”s versatility, noting that he was more than just a runner; he could catch passes effectively from the backfield.
At a recent screening of the documentary series “Rise of the 49ers,” several former teammates praised Craig. Jerry Rice recounted how Craig once took him on a grueling training run that pushed him to his limits.
As Super Bowl week unfolds in the Bay Area, memories of Eddie DeBartolo“s Hall of Fame induction a decade ago resurface. Former 49ers executive Carmen Policy remarked on the significance of such recognition, stating, “If Roger gets in, this team and this organization and the community is going to feel vindicated.” Policy further noted that Craig represents the final piece of Bill Walsh“s offensive legacy deserving of acclaim.
Other Seniors finalists include Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood. Each must secure 80% of the votes to gain entry into the Hall. Craig, drafted in the second round in 1983, won three Super Bowls with the 49ers before concluding his career with the Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. His career statistics include over 8,000 rushing yards, nearly 5,000 receiving yards, and 73 touchdowns, alongside four Pro Bowl selections and recognition as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988.
Gore, now 42, amassed exactly 16,000 rushing yards, surpassing the legendary Joe “The Jet” Perry as the 49ers” all-time rushing leader. His tenure with the 49ers from 2005 to 2013 saw him consistently exceed 1,000 rushing yards, barring an injury-shortened season in 2010. After five Pro Bowl appearances with the 49ers, he continued to perform for other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets.
Among the 49ers from the 1980s dynasty already enshrined in the Hall of Fame are Montana, Rice, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, Steve Young, Fred Dean, DeBartolo, and Walsh.
As the NFL Honors approaches, current 49ers players, including McCaffrey and head coach Kyle Shanahan, will be recognized during the event. McCaffrey is nominated for several awards, including the AP NFL MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year.
Shanahan is also in the running for his first AP NFL Coach of the Year award, having guided his team through a challenging season marked by injuries to a 12-5 regular season record and into the divisional playoffs.
