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The 5 Biggest 49ers Hall of Fame Snubs in the Modern Era

By JD Leidy

Aug 6, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Former San Fransisco players (L to R) Charley Haley and Steve Young and Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice and Joe Montana pose with former owner Edward De Bartolo Jr. (third from R) during the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Former San Fransisco players (L to R) Charley Haley and Steve Young and Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice and Joe Montana pose with former owner Edward De Bartolo Jr. (third from R) during the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 2: Roger Craig (33)

No. 2 on the 49ers Hall of Fame snub list is none other than Rathman’s teammate in both college and the pros, Roger Craig.

One of only two players to ever notch 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a single season, Craig was the archetypal dual-threat running back. The only other player to tally 1,000/1,000? Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.

Craig was drafted by the 49ers in 1983 with the numerically pleasing 49th overall pick. Originally a fullback, Craig’s sure hands and famed high-knee action quickly earned him a spot as the Niners’ marquee runner.

The model of consistency, Craig finished his career with a very respectable 4.1 average yards per carry and a gaudy 8.7 yards per reception.

Roger Craig
Roger Craig /

Craig critics are quick to note that he only netted 1,000 rushing yards in three of his eleven NFL seasons.

However, taken in tandem with his receiving yards, Craig averaged 1,552 total yards per season during the prime of his career (1983-1989).

To put that figure in perspective, HoF running back, Marcus Allen, arguably the most similar runners to Craig during that same era, averaged 1,039 yards from scrimmage per year during his career.

Craig may also simply be the victim of circumstance. When surrounded by some of the best the game has ever seen, i.e. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, etc., it’s easy for a stellar talent like Craig to be overshadowed.

And of course being the goat who fumbled away the 49ers chances at a “three-peat” in the 1990 NFC Championship Game (versus the New York “football” Giants and the Big Tuna, Bill Parcells), probably doesn’t help his cause much either.

But, a single play rarely defines an individual’s entire career, especially in the case of one as prolific as Craig’s. With three Super Bowl rings and a host of individual accolades, “Roger Dodger” deserves to see his bust glimmering on the plains of Ohio.

Nevertheless, Craig is still not the 49ers biggest modern-era Hall of Fame snub.