49ers’ great Roger Craig not named finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Another year, another round of players going to Canton not named Roger Craig.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the three senior finalists for the Class of 2024 Wednesday, with the San Francisco 49ers’ great snubbed once again. The three players selected include: Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and the late Art Powell.

Roger Craig, 63, was one of 12 senior candidates under consideration for Canton this year. To make the list, each finalist mustreceive at least an 80 percent vote from the 50-member board of selectors to be elected into the Hall of Fame.

The former 49ers RB didn’t receive the necessary votes, putting back on the shelf for another year.

Craig was a four-time Pro Bowl player, playing eight seasons for San Francisco. He is a member of the 1000-1000 club, becoming the first person to rack up 1000 yards rushing and receiving each in the league. He finished his 49ers career with 11,506 total yards from scrimmage and 66 total touchdowns as well.

A pioneer of the game, Craig foreshadowed the blueprint of modern RBs, becoming a focal part of Bill Walsh’s offense.

Is Roger Craig a Hall of Famer? #FTTB pic.twitter.com/kXnmlWl3bR

— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) August 19, 2023

“Obviously, it’s a copycat league, and everyone copied Bill Walsh and Roger Craig,” former New York Giants defensive lineman Jim Burt told NBC Sports Bay Area recently. “It’s as simple as that.”

Only Marshall Faulk (1999) and Christian McCaffrey (2019) have joined Craig on the 1,000-1,000 club since the feat was first achieved 37 seasons ago.

Per Pro Football Hall of Fame bylaws, up to three senior candidates can be elected into the Hall of Fame through the Class of 2025.

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