What should have been a day of unabashed celebration and joy for Nebraska football fans who watched the great Roger Craig run roughshod over Husker opponents first and then the NFL, turned bittersweet. During Craig's NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the famed running back announced he was suffering from vascular dementia. In a pre-taped speech, he added that he thought several concussions during his playing days might have led to the condition.
In his speech, Craig explained that "the changes were gradual" and were initially "dismissed as normal aging." However, it eventually became clear that it was more than just a man heading into his 60s.
"Two things can be true: Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine," the Nebraska football legend said in the video. "It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played, and I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn't feel right."
In hindsight, there were signs that the former Nebraska and San Francisco 49ers great was suffering from some health issues. He didn't hold a press conference on Thursday, while this year's other Hall of Fame inductees, Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, and Luke Kuechly, did have media sessions.
Nebraska football legend Roger Craig reveals vascular dementia diagnosis
However, Craig was clearly still able to enjoy the events leading up to Saturday's official induction and adoption of his bust into Canton. He showed obvious excitement when he was presented with his gold jacket by former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. He was also emotional when former Nebraska and San Francisco teammate Jamie Williams presented him for the Hall of Fame.
The emotion is understandable considering Roger Craig had to wait 28 years before he was enshrined. That wait always seemed unfair to Husker fans who watched him be one of the best running backs of his generation. In the NFL, he became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
He finished his professional career with 8,189 yards rushing and 56 touchdowns while also hauling down 566 catches for another 4,911 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Craig's evolution into one of the best receiving backs in the history of the National Football League was always more amazing because of where he came from. While he ran for over 2,400 yards and 26 touchdowns at Nebraska, he totaled just 16 catches for 102 yards in his Husker career during an era where head coach Tom Osborne's squad rarely threw the ball more than 15-20 times a game.
During Roger Craig's speech, the former Nebraska legend ended on a positive note after talking about his dementia diagnosis: "I want people to know this diagnosis doesn't define me. I am still Roger Craig," he said. "I am still a father, a husband, a teammate, a friend, and someone who loves this game and the people who brought it to my life. If sharing my story helps even one family or one former player, then it's worth it."
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