In Raider Nation, the rule is simple: once a Raider, always a Raider. Roger Craig just gave Las Vegas another Hall of Fame name to claim.
Craig will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. He will be enshrined Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio. Most of his legend lives in San Francisco. However, his career line includes the Raiders and that is the Vegas hook.
Once a Raider, always a Raider
Craig played one season for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1991. Still, it was not a cameo.
He started 13 games on a 9-8 team and led the club in rushing. Craig ran 162 times for 590 yards and scored once. He also caught 17 passes for 136 yards, so he stayed involved on third down. Meanwhile, Marcus Allen shared the backfield and Tim Brown emerged as a young weapon.
The résumé that changed the position
Craig entered the league as a second-round pick out of Nebraska in 1983. Soon, he turned into the prototype for the modern two-way back.
He finished his 11-year career with 8,189 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns. In addition, he posted 566 receptions for 4,911 yards and 17 receiving scores. Those numbers still read like today’s NFL.
Craig earned four Pro Bowl selections and won three Super Bowl rings. He also took home the 1988 AP Offensive Player of the Year award, which capped his peak. More importantly, he proved a back could punish defenses on the ground, then hurt them through the air.
A class built for prime time
Craig joins a star-heavy Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The group includes quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Why Las Vegas should care
The Hall will celebrate Craig as a 49er’s icon. Yet Las Vegas can tell the fuller truth.
Craig wore silver and black, carried the load and led the Raiders in rushing. Because of that, Raider Nation will claim him proudly when Canton calls his name.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
