A chance encounter before Monday Night Football has sparked outrage across the National Football League community, as fans were starkly reminded of a major oversight in American sporting history.
The Pregame Meeting That Sparked a Movement
Before the San Francisco 49ers faced the Carolina Panthers in a primetime showdown, cameras captured a poignant moment between generations. The team's current star running back, Christian McCaffrey, was seen sharing a warm embrace and conversation with Roger Craig, a true legend of the franchise.
The San Francisco 49ers' social media team posted images of the two dynamic players chatting, proudly highlighting the meeting of two generational talents. However, this seemingly innocent post had an unintended consequence: it forced thousands of fans to confront the shocking reality that Roger Craig has not been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
A Career Worth Remembering
The subsequent online investigation into Craig's credentials revealed a resume that makes his exclusion from the Hall of Fame difficult to comprehend. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Craig was one of the most formidable and versatile running backs the game has ever seen.
His impressive list of accomplishments is staggering: he was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 1988, earned two All-Pro selections, and led the entire league in receptions in 1985. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and, crucially, was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
Perhaps most significantly, Craig was an integral part of the 49ers' dynasty, playing a key role in winning three Super Bowls: XIX, XXIII, and XXIV. He also made history by becoming the first running back ever to achieve 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a single season.
Fan Fury and Social Media Backlash
The discovery that a player of Craig's calibre remains outside the Hall of Fame prompted an immediate and passionate backlash from fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
One user compiled his stellar achievements, writing, 'Simply the BEST! Roger Craig’s résumé speaks for itself: - 1980s All-Decade Team - First 1,000/1,000 RB - 3× Super Bowl Champion - 1988 Offensive POY - 1st RB with 100+ catches. A true innovator who helped power a dynasty. Let’s get Roger Craig in the Hall of Fame.'
The sentiment was echoed across the platform, with other posts expressing disbelief and anger. 'We really gotta start giving Roger Craig his flowers! How the hell Roger Craig isn't in the HOF! Dude was a beast!!' read one comment. Another user made a direct comparison, stating, 'Wait, so Gale Sayers is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Roger Craig isn’t?!? Makes sense.'
The consensus was clear, with fans unanimously agreeing on the injustice. Comments like 'Wait…what??? Roger Craig is not in the Hall. This is BS,' and 'Seriously, how is Roger Craig not in the Hall of Fame?? He’s an absolute legend!' dominated the conversation, creating a powerful wave of support for the former 49ers great.
As for the game itself, Christian McCaffrey honoured his predecessor's legacy on the field, scoring a touchdown in the third quarter to extend the 49ers' lead to 17-3 against the Panthers.
