In the surprise visit captured on video, former 49ers greats and Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley, along with NFL Network's Steve Wyche, went to Craig's home to deliver the exciting news of his induction.
"These guys helped me out all the time," Craig said emotionally. "You know, being in the Hall of Fame with them, I'm so amazed."
Since becoming eligible for the Hall of Fame, 12 running backs were inducted before the former 49ers star, raising the question: Should Craig have had to wait nearly 30 years?
Craig was drafted as a fullback out of Nebraska in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He became the ultimate dual-threat, averaging 883 rushing yards per season and 555 receiving yards per season in his eight years with the 49ers.
During his time with San Francisco, Craig rushed for 7,881 yards while recording 5,048 receiving yards and 75 total touchdowns, including playoffs. He retired as the NFL's 13th-leading rusher. Craig was a key contributor on three championship teams, a four-time Pro-Bowler, earned one All-Pro selection, and is part of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
In his second season, Craig was second on the team in rushing with 649 yards and third in receiving with 675 yards and 10 total touchdowns. That same season, San Francisco steamrolled the Miami Dolphins 38–16 in Super Bowl XIX, with Craig delivering three touchdowns.
In his third season, Craig made NFL history by surpassing 1,000 yards rushing and receiving, finishing the 1985 season with 1,050 rushing yards, 1,016 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns.
The 1988 season was Craig's career year. He rushed for 1,502 yards, earning a first-team All-Pro selection.
In the Week 7 match-up against the Los Angeles Rams, Craig turned in one of the most memorable performances. He was the difference maker in the 24-21 win because the Rams' defense did not have an answer for the former Cornhusker as he rushed for over 190 yards and three touchdowns, including a devastating 46-yard touchdown run up the middle of the Rams' defense.
The 49ers went to back-to-back Super Bowls with Craig as their starting running back, but his final season with the 49ers would be a down season. In 1990, Craig recorded career lows in rushing and receiving, and had a costly fumble that cost the 49ers a three-peat.
The last time Craig touched the ball as a Niner came in the NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants. San Francisco held a 13–12 lead in the fourth quarter with 2:36 remaining, but Craig fumbled late in the game at the Giants' 40-yard line.
New York drove down the field where Matt Bahr's game?winning field goal, with 0:04 seconds left, gave the Giants a 15–13 victory, punching their ticket to Super Bowl XXV while crushing the 49ers' dream of being the first team to win three championships in a row.
After leaving the 49ers, Craig spent the 1991 season with the Los Angeles Raiders, rushing for 590 yards and one touchdown.
He left the Raiders after one year and finished the final two years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he added 559 rushing yards and five touchdowns, including the playoffs.
The question is asked: Should Craig have waited nearly 30 years to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Since being drafted, he became the prototype dual-threat running back, giving defenses fits on the ground and through the air.
He may not have led the league with headline stats, but Craig was the difference maker on those dominant 49ers teams, so if you ask me, it doesn't matter. Real fans recognize his greatness and celebrate his legacy in the game.
Written By:
Sports has been my first love since I was 12 years old. At one point I wanted to play football professionally. I started to take photography as a hobby in my teenage years but this was when I followed sports. I started to listen to sports radio, I found my true calling and it was to be a sports talk show host. Though I follow football and basketball, I started to have a new love of cultures around the world. After graduating from San Antonio College in 2018, I worked for the Castroville News Bulletin before going to A&M San Antonio to get my communications degree. Since I have written for the Ranger of San Antonio College, the News Bulletin and the Mesquite of Texas A&M San Antonio, I met many people and went to a lot of events. My major milestone was being in the press box of the San Antonio Commanders game for the Mesquite and being apart of a press conference with the Medina County Sheriff and other local news outlets. When I am not doing anything, I like to watch old cartoons on the DC Universe, play video games such as Mega Man and the Mass Effect series. I have also created Youtube channel called "Anger Management" with my friend Aaron Donnell.
All articles by Sasha D. Robinson
Sasha D. Robinson
Sports has been my first love since I was 12 years old. At one point I wanted to play football professionally. I started to take photography as a hobby in my teenage years but this was when I followed sports. I started to listen to sports radio, I found my true calling and it was to be a sports talk show host. Though I follow football and basketball, I started to have a new love of cultures around the world. After graduating from San Antonio College in 2018, I worked for the Castroville News Bulletin before going to A&M San Antonio to get my communications degree. Since I have written for the Ranger of San Antonio College, the News Bulletin and the Mesquite of Texas A&M San Antonio, I met many people and went to a lot of events. My major milestone was being in the press box of the San Antonio Commanders game for the Mesquite and being apart of a press conference with the Medina County Sheriff and other local news outlets. When I am not doing anything, I like to watch old cartoons on the DC Universe, play video games such as Mega Man and the Mass Effect series. I have also created Youtube channel called "Anger Management" with my friend Aaron Donnell.
All articles by Sasha D. Robinson
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