Roger Craig Biography – Roger Timothy Craig was born on July 10, 1960. He is a former American professional football player.
Roger played as a running back in the NFL. He spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He was known for his versatile playing style.
Roger was later elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Roger Craig Biography
Roger Craig was born on July 10, 1960. He is a former American professional football player. Roger played as a running back in the NFL.
He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. He was selected to four Pro Bowls.
Roger won three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers. In one season, he became the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards and catch for 1,000 yards.
Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey later reached the same milestone. Roger now works as the Vice President of Business Development at TIBCO Software.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roger Timothy Craig |
| Born | July 10, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Preston, Mississippi |
| Profession | Former NFL Player |
| Sport | American Football |
| Position | Running Back |
| NFL Teams | San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, Minnesota Vikings |
| Super Bowl Titles | 3 |
| Pro Bowl Selections | 4 |
| Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2026 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $5 Million |
Roger Craig Family

Roger Craig has been married to his high school sweetheart, Vernessia. The couple has been together for more than 40 years.
They have five children. Roger and Vernessia have built a close family life together.
| Family Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife | Vernessia Craig |
| Married | May 7, 1983 |
| Marriage | More than 40 years |
| Children | 5 |
| Brother | Curtis Craig |
| Wife’s Brother | Michael Nunn |
| Family Life | Close-knit family |
Roger Craig College Career
Roger Craig graduated from Davenport Central High School. He then attended the University of Nebraska. He played college football under coach Tom Osborne.
Roger played three full seasons for Nebraska. He rushed for 2,446 yards and 26 touchdowns. His average was six yards per carry.
He became an important running back in Nebraska’s offense. In 1980, Roger rushed for 769 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In 1981, he rushed for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 87 yards that season. Roger earned All-Big 8 honors in 1981.
He played alongside Mike Rozier in 1982. An injury limited his playing time that season. Roger returned to action and rushed for 127 yards in the final regular-season game.
His Nebraska teammates included Turner Gill, Mike Rozier, and Dean Steinkuhler. He also played one season of indoor track at Nebraska.
Roger finished fourth in the 60-meter hurdles at the Big 8 Indoor Championships.
| College Information | Details |
|---|---|
| College | University of Nebraska |
| Coach | Tom Osborne |
| Position | Running Back |
| College Seasons | 3 full seasons |
| Rushing Yards | 2,446 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 26 |
| Average | 6 yards per carry |
| 1981 Rushing Yards | 1,060 |
| 1981 Rushing Touchdowns | 6 |
| 1981 Honors | All-Big 8 |
| Other Sport | Indoor Track |
Roger Craig Professional Career
Roger Craig was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1983. He was selected in the second round with the 49th overall pick.
Craig played under coach Bill Walsh and alongside quarterback Joe Montana. In his rookie season, he scored 12 rushing and receiving touchdowns.
The 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game that year. Craig became known for his high-knee running style.
In Super Bowl XIX, he rushed for 58 yards and caught seven passes. He scored three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 38–16 win over the Miami Dolphins.
In 1985, Craig made NFL history. He became the first player to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in one season.
He rushed for 1,050 yards and caught 92 passes for 1,016 yards. Craig also scored 15 touchdowns that season.
In 1988, he won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. He rushed for a career-best 1,502 yards. He also caught 76 passes for 534 yards.
In one game against the Los Angeles Rams, Craig rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers reached Super Bowl XXIII that season.
Craig rushed for 71 yards and caught eight passes for 101 yards in the Super Bowl. He became the first running back to record 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl.
The 49ers won Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals. In 1989, Craig helped San Francisco reach another Super Bowl.
He gained 1,527 combined rushing and receiving yards during the regular season. The 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos 55–10 in Super Bowl XXIV.
Craig rushed for 69 yards, caught five passes, and scored one touchdown. In 1990, the 49ers finished the regular season with a 14–2 record.
Craig’s final game with San Francisco came in the NFC Championship Game. He fumbled late in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants.
The Giants recovered the ball and later won the game 15–13. Craig spent eight seasons with the 49ers. He played 121 games and helped the team win three Super Bowl titles.
In 1991, Craig joined the Los Angeles Raiders. He led the Raiders in rushing with 590 yards. Craig played his final two NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 1992, he rushed for 416 yards and four touchdowns. The Vikings won the NFC Central Division that season.
In 1993, Craig rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown. He also caught 19 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Craig retired after the 1993 season. He signed a one-day contract with the 49ers and retired as a San Francisco player.
Roger Craig Net Worth
Roger Craig is a former American professional football player. His estimated net worth is around $5 million. He is known as one of the most versatile running backs in NFL history.
Craig spent eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He played during the team’s successful years in the 1980s.
Craig became an important part of coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense. He helped change the role of running backs in the NFL.
In 1985, he became the first player to record 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in one season. Craig won three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers.
He also earned four Pro Bowl selections. Fans knew him for his strong running style and high-knee stride.
His ability to catch passes also made him a dangerous player. Craig became one of the important players of the 1980s NFL.
| Net Worth Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $5 Million |
| Main Income | Football Career |
| Major NFL Team | San Francisco 49ers |
| Super Bowl Wins | 3 |
| Pro Bowl Selections | 4 |
| Major Achievement | 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in one season |
Roger Craig Early Life
Roger Craig was born in Preston, Mississippi.His family later moved to Davenport, Iowa. He attended schools in the Davenport Community School District.
Roger played football at J.B. Young Intermediate School. He later attended Central High School in Davenport.
He graduated from Central High School in 1979. Roger played with future NFL tight end Jamie Williams.
His older brother, Curtis Craig, also played running back. In 1976, Roger helped Central High School win the Iowa State Championship.
As a senior, he rushed for 1,565 yards and 27 touchdowns. His performance earned him All-America honors.
In his final high school game, Roger rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Roger also competed in wrestling and track.
He qualified for the Iowa State Wrestling Championships. In track, he finished second in two hurdles events in 1979.
He also broke Central High School’s record in the 110-yard hurdles.
His 110-yard hurdles time of 14.43 seconds remains among the best marks at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships.
| Early Life Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | Preston, Mississippi |
| Raised In | Davenport, Iowa |
| High School | Central High School |
| Graduation | 1979 |
| High School Position | Running Back |
| 1976 Achievement | Iowa State Championship |
| Senior Rushing Yards | 1,565 |
| Senior Touchdowns | 27 |
| Senior Honors | All-America |
| Other Sports | Wrestling and Track |
Roger Craig Legacy
Roger Craig played in the NFL playoffs almost every year. The only exception was the 1991 season. He was selected to four Pro Bowls.
His Pro Bowl seasons were 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989. Craig played 11 seasons in the NFL. He finished his career with 8,189 rushing yards.
He also made 566 catches for 4,911 receiving yards. Overall, Craig gained 13,143 total yards. He scored 73 touchdowns during his career.
Craig made NFL history in 1985. He became the first running back to gain 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in one season.
He also caught 92 passes that year. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have matched this achievement.
In 1988, Craig rushed for a team-record 1,502 yards. He also passed 2,000 total yards for the second time in his career.
Craig, Lydell Mitchell, and Chuck Foreman are the only running backs to lead the NFL in receptions for one season.
Craig also became one of three running backs to record at least 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as both a fullback and halfback.
Craig is the only running back known for achieving this at the time.
| Legacy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| NFL Seasons | 11 |
| Pro Bowl Selections | 4 |
| Pro Bowl Years | 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989 |
| Rushing Yards | 8,189 |
| Receiving Yards | 4,911 |
| Total Yards | 13,143 |
| Total Touchdowns | 73 |
| Super Bowl Titles | 3 |
| Historic Achievement | First NFL player with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in one season |
| Hall of Fame | Class of 2026 |
Roger Craig Personal Life
Roger Craig studied Tae Kwon Do for several years. He trained under Chris Jensen and Debbie Pederson.
Roger is also a regular runner. He has completed more than 38 marathons and half-marathons.
In 2010, Roger served as Grand Marshal at the Toyota/Save Mart 350. He is a distant cousin of New York Jets running back Breece Hall.
Roger married Vernessia on May 7, 1983. Vernessia is the sister of boxer Michael Nunn. The couple has five children.
After football, Roger worked for Tibco Consulting. On August 8, 2026, Roger announced that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia.
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife | Vernessia Craig |
| Marriage Date | May 7, 1983 |
| Children | 5 |
| Martial Art | Tae Kwon Do |
| Marathons | More than 38 |
| Post-NFL Work | Tibco Consulting |
| Family Connection | Distant cousin of Breece Hall |
| Health Update | Announced vascular dementia diagnosis on August 8, 2026 |
FAQ – Roger Craig Biography
1. Who is Roger Craig?
Roger Craig is a former NFL running back.
2. How old is Roger Craig?
Roger Craig was born on 10 July 1960.
3. What is Roger Craig’s net worth?
Roger Craig net worth is estimated around $5 million.
4. How many Super Bowls did Roger Craig win?
He won 3 Super Bowl titles with the team 49ers.
5. Is Roger Craig in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
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