"Today, there's another chapter I want to share," Craig said during a video played at Saturday's enshrinement ceremony. "I've been diagnosed with vascular dementia, that my doctors believe may be related, at least in part, to the concussions I experienced during my career.
"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."
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Vascular dementia is a decline in thinking skills caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow and oxygen to the brain, damaging brain tissue.
Craig said he hopes sharing his story will raise awareness about brain health, noting how much knowledge surrounding the issue has advanced since his playing days.
"I want people to know this diagnosis doesn't define me," Craig continued. "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."
Craig enjoyed an illustrious 11-year NFL career, spending his first eight seasons with the 49ers after San Francisco selected him in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He finished his career with 8,189 rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards and 73 total touchdowns.
The three-time Super Bowl champion was selected to four Pro Bowls and earned multiple All-Pro honors. He helped the 49ers win Super Bowls XIX, XXIII and XXIV, and he made NFL history in 1985 by becoming the first player to record at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
After waiting decades for his induction, Craig was finally enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
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