Roger Craig: The ORIGINAL All-Purpose Back! | Throwback Originals 

This was a bad man. Before McCaffrey, before Faulk, there was Roger Craig. I hear people say he's not in the Hall of Fame because he was surrounded by Hall of Famers. My reply is this: those guys are in the Hall of Fame because of him.

To me, one of the most underrated tailbacks in the NFL History!!!

The fact that there's only 3 RBs that have done this in this day and age says a lot! HOF voters, do what's right!!!!

Why isn’t he a hall of famer yet?

When people use the term "ahead of his time" THIS is what they mean all hail roger craig!!!!

The West Coast offense is built on the running back being a primary pass receiver. He is the original west coast running back

His name sometimes gets lost with guy's like Montana Rice.

This man deserves to be in the HOF without a doubt!

He was a freak of nature those niners teams we're loaded.

Craig was exciting to watch! He was a swiss army knife back, he could do it all, great blocker too. The ORIGINAL 1000/1000 back. The OG high stepper.

By far the most underrated, under appreciated back in history

Them high knees were legendary loll

When You Hear Pat Summerall And John Madden And Dick Enberg... That's Football

Should be in the Hall already, shame he isn’t

It’s an absolute crying shame he isn’t in the HOF. I fell it’s an crime against the game personally. I’m not even a 49ers fan.

So many forgotten running backs from this era, William Andrews, Roger Craig, Curt Warner, Billy Sims, the list goes on

My favorite player of all time. I remember the stories of him buying the whole team dinner every time he got 100 yards rushing. That's class. He broke my heart with that fumble against the Giants, but he's still my favorite. The Hall Of Fame isn't legitimate until this man gets inducted.

Rodger "Catfish" Craig Those high knees were deadly weapons.

Revolutionize the game him Walsh and the west coast offense one of the most underappreciated and underrated players of all time HOF do the right get this man in

Craig is still underated but i'm glad i witnessed the 80's.

He was still playing when I started watching football. Before the internet, RU-vid, etc. If you lived in a different region, players got lost in the shuffle. I never remember Craig coming up in conversation as a great back. But he was great. I'm glad we got these NFL throwbacks. He should be in the HOF.

This man had both power and speed and he was an outstanding reciever for a running back, in fact he lead the league in receptions in 85. Great tailback.

Roger Craig was one of the most underrated and underappreciated backs that I have ever seen. He made the very most of his abilities. #MuchRespect

I met him. He seems nice. His daughter was a great sprinter and ran like him.

Also fun fact the SF Giants baseball team was in the World Series at this time, their manager was also named Roger Craig

Should have been in the Hall of fame long time ago. Underrated

I don’t know why this guy isn’t in the HOF. He was the best “all around” RB in football for a very long time.

They have to put Roger Craig in Hall. It's been long overdue. The fact he switched from fullback to halfback and still performed well is an accomplishment in itself.

Roger Craig was a beast on the field.

Someone call Canton and get this guy in the hall already

I’m a die hard cowboys fans and I can say this Roger Craig should be in the HOF hands down.

9er nation! One of the most underrated backs in league history and a techmo bowl legend

That’s a HOFer period!! The best all purpose back of all times!!

My favorite running back in the 80s

Ironically I was just reading about McCaffrey. This guy was the OG 1k/1k threat.

Though I've given up on the nfl, I had to comment on Mr. Craig. Yes, the most underrated. And yes 1st all purpose back. He dealt with it gracefully just like he played. If the nfl wants to save face, more stories like this one.

It’s a shame this guy not in the hall of fame yet he paved the way for RB now

This man is being treated so shabby by the same institution that purports to celebrate the game. It's shameful - SHAMEFUL - That he hasn't been inducted years ago! I'll keep fighting for his inclusion and will be there in person to represent when he does get in!! #33fortheHOF

One thing you notice watching Roger’s highlights is how good the blocking was by the wide receivers.

What a dude, and what a player. HOF deserving for sure.

Why is he not a hall of famer

One of my Techmo Bowl players guaranteed to score with

Absolutely a 49ers & NFL legend. He not just survived the curse of making the SI cover, he thrived on it. Also adapted his game each year to suit the team's needs. Amazing draft pick & talent / capability assessment by Walsh!

Another Niners player I never hear get brought up is Ricky Watters

Craig was a straight beast! I watched it all!

Dad always be telling me roger Craig was one of the best running back lol never knew who he was until now...he should be in HOF

Deserves to be in Canton! I miss old football and players like Roger. Even though he broke my heart many times, he was a fantastic ball player. Hats off to you sir.

When I tell you Roger Craig was my favorite running back of all time I tell no lies. This is coming from a die hard New York Giants fan. He was so powerful and so durable in the fact that he loved hitting people was such an amazing feat to watch.

9:34 the greatest run you’ve never seen

I hope he gets in the HOF in this upcoming one with Bryant Young and John Lynch. 🙏🏼

Falcons fan here so I can remember the brutal days of the old NFC West (49ers, Saints, Rams). Say what you want about Brady and the Pats but there was nothing better than the machine in the Bay back in the 80's. Both sides of the ball probably 20 guys have legit arguments for the Hall.

No fullback ever did that, hall of famer all the way

One of my favorite all time backs

This a flat out robbery Rodger Craig isn’t a HOF’er

Mr. Roger Craig, you was an AWESOME, back, may GOD, bless you. And you're family.

These are the dudes I grew up admiring and I've been wondering when this man MR. Roger Craig was going to get some HOF love that he earned...100percent should not be over looked.

It alludes me how he's not a HOFer smh 🤦‍♂️ Craig was a beast

Loved Roger’s game! One of the best.

Holy Cats! I just realized that I was at the Stick in '85 when he set the record. I remember the 1000 x1000 going up on the "Jumbo Tron" at the game, but what I didn't realize is that it stood for 14 years, and hasn't been done again after that until this season!!! I have to thank and remind my best friend who got us the tickets next time we see each other. Note: How times have changed... I also remember getting grief from a fellow 49er fan for wearing my Pro Model fitted SF Giant's cap to that game.

I've heard that John Candy anecdote before. Joe cool knew how to keep everyone loose.

He does not get noticed because of all of the hall of farmers around him.

I have forgotten how explosive Roger Craig was. Thank you for this video 😃.

Dang he seems like a very humble and great guy.... "I didn't even think about it. I was just playing". Nuff Said!!

Pat Summeral and Madden best duo ever!! Get chills listening to the play by play!!

Great memories very competitive still humble take care Champ

So are Full Backs not allowed in the HOF?

Roger Craig was a huge reason the Niners won 3 of the 4 Super Bowls they won in 80’s. Very underrated player, should definitely be in the HOF.

Those 83-85 teams with Craig and Wendell Tyler were SOLID

Roger Craig #33 San Francisco 49ers (1983-1990) 7 Years Seasons With The San Francisco 49ers

Why he and Drew Pearson are not in the hall of fame is beyond me. SMH

Had the most beautiful running style! The gait of a gazelle, speed of a cheetah, and the force of a ram.

I grew up in Davenport, Iowa and got to go watch Roger in High School at Davenport Central. My Dad was friends with his high school coach Jim Fox, and actually his son coached my team. I was at Roger’s last High School game where he ran for 353 yards and 4 touchdowns. Roger was an amazing player and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame!!! Enough is enough. It’s time. Actually when Roger would come home sometimes when he played for San Francisco, his friend lived across the hall from my wife, and we would get to see him. HALL OF FAME 2024!!!🎉

The original all purpose back. . . Chuck Foreman, Minnesota Vikings.🤔👍👍👍🏈

R.I.P. John Candy

Truly one of the best all around players in the history of the game.

Definitely should be a Hall of Famer he is the original all purpose back a great 1000 yards rushing and a 1000 yards receiving

Needs to be in the Hall or Fame. It’s Bullshit that he’s not ok. First guy to 1000 receiving and rushing, he’s a 4 time Pro-Bowler, a First Team All-Pro in 85, is part of the 80s All Decade team and won 3 Super Bowls. He was the engine that made the 49ers dominant. I’m Super Bowl XIX, Craig compiled 135 all purpose yards and 3 TDs. He was very formidable. NEEDS to be in the Hall of Fame.

Roger that we have a broken record OVER

I’m a lifelong NY Giants fan & I wouldn’t give Rodger Craig a thumb down! #Respect

Its a crime that Roger Craig isn't in the Hall of Fame!!!!! Unbelievable

Great post thank YOU! Wonder if we'll ever see a 1500/1500

Boy you didn't want those knees of his hitting you in the face......HALL OF FAME!!

A few years prior to Bill Walsh becoming a head coach, the "West Coast Offense" was run in Minnesota in the 70s with Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman & company.

He def was a very good player in that system , he fit it perfectly

I don't know why Craig isn't in the HOF. The guy was a great talent and one of the most underrated players of the last 40 years. If there was no Roger Craig there'd be no Marshal Faulk or Christian McCaffery. He makes a good point in that video that teams should try to run at least some variant of the WCO again. I think it could work again especially the pass heavy variants that Denny Green and the recently departed Sam Wyche were proponents of.

Built from Davenport Iowa (Dav. Central)

Very underrated back! It was kinda sad to see how his career ended with the 49ers..definitely a HOF back

Led the NFL in receptions one year (as a running back)...on a team with so many other weapons like Jerry Rice. He still accounted for the most catches. 👀 Was an offensive player of the year. NEA NFL MVP (back when 2 MVP awards were given and recognized). For his award (the Thorpe trophy) he was selected by other players and coaches in the league....not by the clown show from the media. He didn't just break records...he created and set new categories...because the records he set were so crazy that no one even thought they were possible. 3x Super bowl champion...playing a crucial role in all 3 victories. A core figure (the spoke in the wheel) in one of the greatest offenses of all time. He was the glue that made it work. He had to be accounted for on every down. He opened opportunities for everyone else. Had great achievements as a Fullback. And so much more.... He belongs in the Hall of Fame. Period!

Yea....he should go to the HOF......his style of play suited the 49er's to a T.

Players have selective memories. Plenty of people thought the 49ers were going to win versus the Dolphins in the Super Bowl.

Durability, Vision, Speed, Hands, Power, what else could you really ask for? Multiple championships... Why is this man not in the HOF? There's much less had by others already in there.

Thx for posting this #33 stuff man! These clips really show how hard and forcefully #33 ran! Roger Craig wasnt Earl Cambell, Bo Jackson or Marshawn Lynch big n strong but he was almost impossible to wrap up! I remember Craig would sometimes knock defensive backs helmets clear off their heads with his high knee running adopted from his Nebraska track days! He and Rathman were teammates back in college! #goldhearted! 💯

Roger Craig was great but how can you do a video on him and NOT invite his backfield-mate and fellow Cornhusker Tom Rathman?

Wait...CRAIG isn’t in the HOF? He was the first 1k/1k rushing receiving...hmm 🤔🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

This is my Niners; Joe, Jerry, Ronnie and this man. I hope this season's group will be as legendary.

His fumble sent the Giants to the Super Bowl. Thank you Roger !

Roger Craig was the consumate total and complete running back the NFL has ever seen! He deserves a jacket because he earned it!

He was one of my favorite players of all time...

Incomprehensible that Roger is not in the HOF. Mind boggling

I just love how chill he is