Roger Craig Inducted into NFL Hall of FameRoger Craig Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame
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Roger Craig Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame

 

 

Roger Craig becomes the newest Husker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, becoming the sixth former NU football player to join the NFL’s most exclusive club.

Craig joins the 2026 class which also includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri, as the group will be honored all week in Canton, Ohio. On Friday night, the class of 2025 received their Gold Jackets, while the Grand Parade and 2026 Enshrinement highlights Saturday’s schedule. The Enshrinement takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will be televised on ESPN and the NFL Network.

 

Craig’s Hall of Fame professional career followed his outstanding stint with the Huskers from 1979 to 1982 for legendary coach Tom Osborne.  Craig finished his Nebraska career with 2,446 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, finishing his career fourth on the Huskers’ career rushing yards.

As a sophomore in 1980, Craig had 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry. Craig earned All-Big Eight honors in 1981 when he rushed for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns and helped the Huskers to a conference title. Craig finished his career with 586 rushing yards as a senior, helping Nebraska to another Big Eight title and a 12-1 record.  For his final two seasons, he shared the Husker backfield with Mike Rozier, who won the 1983 Heisman Trophy.

Roger Craig: NFL Hall of Famer Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

Craig spent 11 seasons in the NFL from 1983-93, after being a second-round selection by the San Franciso 49ers in 1983. He was the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards and have 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, doing so in 1985. He also led the NFL in receptions that season with 92.  Craig helped the 49ers to three Super Bowl wins and was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 when he rushed for a career-high 1,502 yards. That season, he rushed for 71 yards and had eight receptions for 101 yards in the Super Bowl XXIII win over Cincinnati.  Craig finished his career with the Raiders (1991) and Vikings (1992-93). For his career, he totaled 8,189 rushing yards and 4,911 receiving yards on 566 career catches.  At the time of his retirement, Craig’s 8,189 rushing yards ranked 13th all time. He earned Pro Bowl berths four times in five years (1986, 1988-1990), was named a unanimous All-Pro and All-NFC selection in 1988 and was named second team All-Pro or All-NFC in 1985, 1987 and 1989.

Huskers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Craig is the sixth Nebraska player to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and first since offensive linemen Will Shields and Mick Tingelhoff were both part of the 2015 class. Other Huskers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame include Guy Chamberlin, Roy “Link” Lyman and Bob Brown.

Player Year
Roy Lyman 1965
Guy Chamberlin 1965
Bob Brown 2004
Mick Tinglehoff 2015
Will Shields 2015
Roger Craig 2026

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — Knock on the Door | Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 presented by Visual Edge IT and their families get the emotion-packed news that they will be teaming up with the "Greatest of the Game" in Canton, Ohio. Watch as Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri find out they made it.

Roger Craig: NFL Hall of Famer Features

Roger Craig: NFL Hall of Famer Features

Husker Football Bio Deep dive on Roger Craig: The first 1,000/1,000 player in NFL history Opens in a new window 2026 Hall of Fame: Roger Craig was the perfect fit at RB for a powerhouse 49ers offense A Look Back at Roger Craig's Hall of Fame Career Roger Craig's versatility helped fuel 49ers dynasty, earned him entry into Hall of Fame Opens in a new window NFL Throwback: Roger Craig's Record-Setting Super Bowl Performance Roger Craig Seeing his HOF Display for the 1st time Jamie Williams cleared the way for 49ers’ Roger Craig. Now he’ll lead him into Canton Roger Craig’s path from kickball to Hall of Fame, with a lifelong teammate along for the ride Roger Craig's Hall of Fame journey starts with childhood dreams — with key years in Nebraska