San Francisco 49ers: 15 most beloved fan favorites in franchise history
By Peter Panacy
(1983-90). Roger Craig. 10. player. 42. . RB
Most beloved San Francisco 49ers in franchise history: 10. Roger Craig
Those who decide may have concluded running back Roger Craig doesn’t deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But you won’t convince any 49ers fan he doesn’t belong.
You see, Craig was the epitome of those multi-faceted tailbacks capable of ripping off huge chunks of yards on the ground, while also serving as a dynamic pass-catcher out of the backfield. So many of today’s dual-threat running backs owe their careers to what Craig helped establish during the Niners’ heyday years.
Craig managed over 2,000 all-purpose twice in his 11-year NFL career, including leading the league in 1988 with 2,036 — one of his four trips to the Pro Bowl.
In total, Craig amounted to 13,143 total yards, which currently stands 69th on the all-time list. A longer career could have meant more, and that’s what likely keeps him out of Canton.
But again, no Niners fan feels that’s justified.
What endeared Craig to San Francisco fans, though, is him being considered one of the three elite runners in franchise history. One, Joe Perry, has already been mentioned. The other is still to come.