CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Roger Craig shared a personal revelation during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech: he has vascular dementia. The former San Francisco 49ers running back delivered his message through a prerecorded video at Tom Benson Stadium, proudly wearing his gold jacket. His former teammate, Jamie Williams, presented him, and Craig received a standing ovation along with hugs from fellow Hall of Famers.
About eight minutes into his nine-minute speech, Craig disclosed his diagnosis. He mentioned doctors attributing it possibly to the concussions he suffered while playing. ‘The changes were gradual,’ Craig explained. ‘Initially, they seemed like normal aging. But over time, my family noticed too.’
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of vascular dementia include confusion, trouble finding words, difficulty paying attention, problems organizing thoughts or actions, slowed thinking, and memory issues. Craig emphasized, ‘Two things could be true. Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine and shaped who I am. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played. I hope sharing my story encourages people to address their health and seek help when needed.’
Craig continued, ‘I want people to know that this diagnosis doesn’t define me. I am still Roger Craig. I am still a father, husband, teammate, friend, and someone who loves this game.’ He expressed hope that his story could help others. ‘If sharing my story helps even one family or former player, then it’s worth it. Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, and lifelong friends. This honor belongs to my parents who started it all.’
Selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 1983 draft, Craig became one of the league’s most versatile players. He excelled as a runner, receiver, and blocker, contributing to the 49ers’ three Super Bowl victories. In 1985, he made history as the first NFL player to achieve 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a season. He earned the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year title in 1988.
‘When I learned that Bill Walsh wanted me, it meant something,’ Craig recalled. ‘He saw something in me that others didn’t. He trusted me to do whatever the team needed. The 1,000-yard rushing, 1,000-yard receiving season means so much because we weren’t chasing numbers, we were chasing wins. It felt like we were doing something special as a team.’
Craig reflected on the 49ers’ approach, ‘What means the most is knowing we helped expand what people thought a running back could be. None of that happens without great teammates. Those 49ers teams were special because we weren’t selfish. We didn’t care who got the credit; we cared about winning.’
Craig was selected from the seniors category and joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 with Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri.