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After all the drama surrounding the snubbing of Bill Belichick and, to a lesser extent, Robert Kraft, the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 was announced Thursday night during the NFL Honors.
Among the names up against the two Patriots legends in the seniors/coach/contributor group, only running back Roger Craig was elected into the Hall of Fame, earning the honor at the awards show in San Francisco, where he spent the majority of his career.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, and Saints quarterback Drew Brees also were announced as part of the new class.
49ers great Roger Craig and longtime Saints quarterback Drew Brees enjoy the moment after the pair were two of five announced as newest members of Football Hall of Fame during NFL Honors at Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2026. San Francisco Chronicle via GettThe announcement concludes a roughly week-and-a-half span in which the Hall was the focus of a public outcry after news broke that Belichick would not be inducted in his first year of eligibility.
ESPN reported that some voters might have held “Deflategate” and “Spygate” scandals against Belichick, enraging pundits and football fans alike.
A week later, news broke that Kraft had also missed the induction threshold.
In a video published by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former 49ers teammates, and now fellow HOF members, Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley, were showing arriving at Craig’s door to deliver the news.
“You’re going in at your house that you built, in San Francisco,” Harley told Craig in the video.
The legendary 49er made it in on his 28th year of eligibility after a lengthy career that included stops in San Francisco, the Raiders and Vikings before he retired after the 1993 season.
Head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the second quarter of the Patriots’ loss to the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Mass. Getty ImagesCraig was drafted by the 49ers in the second round in 1983 and went on to help the Niners win three Super Bowls.
During Super Bowl XIX in 1985, Craig scored three touchdowns in the 49ers’ win over the Dolphins.
During his 11 seasons in the league, Craig racked up 8,189 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns, adding 566 catches for 4,911 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.
Additionally, Craig became the first player in league history rush for 1,000 yards and have 1,000 receiving yards in the same season in 1985, a feat that has only been matched by two players — Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.
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