Roger Craig Selected for Pro Football of FameRoger Craig Selected for Pro Football of Fame
Football

Roger Craig Selected for Pro Football of Fame

Written byKassidy Otteman

Nebraska running back and NFL great Roger Craig has been selected to the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The newest class of inductees was announced on Thursday night at the NFL Honors celebration in San Francisco.

Craig becomes the sixth Nebraska player to be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the 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.

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. Craig helped the 49ers to three Super Bowl wins and was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1988. Craig finished his career with the Raiders (1991) and Vikings (1992-93).

Craig’s Hall of Fame professional career followed his outstanding stint with the Huskers from 1979 to 1982.  Craig finished his Nebraska career with 2,446 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. As a sophomore in 1980, Craig had 15 rushing touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Craig earned first-team All-Big Eight honors in 1981when 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.

Craig was the lone inductee from the senior finalist category.  He is joined in the 2026 Hall of Fame class by Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechley and Adam Vinatieri.

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted on Saturday, Aug. 8 at ceremonies in Canton, Ohio.