The so-called "legends score" for Roger Craig is actually 30. It's a shame how the football community has treated Roger Craig. He was never given the recognition that he deserved, except from Nebraska and the Niners. Pro football has always short changed him. He has more accomplishments than many of those who are already in the HOF. Roger fell victim to injuries and the politics of the football community. He was never the darling of the sports media, and never had any exciting controversies off the field to keep the writers and the fans entertained. The writers love a salacious story. Nor was he a flamboyant guy like a Deion Sanders or Terrell Owens. He wasn't a favorite of the media....because he didn't like to do much press. But the real reason for that was his nervousness..and his speech disability... which he largely overcame over time. So when it came to recognizing him properly for his accomplishments, he got the cold shoulder.

Roger Craig is arguably the greatest multipurpose/all-purpose back in the history of pro-football. There were better pure runners and bigger guys who could block. Faulk had hands that were equally as good. But there was no better single player out of the backfield who could run, catch & block the way he could (all in one package). He didn't just break records, he created new categories and became the first to do things as a running back or full-back...new categories because the feats were so amazing that no one thought they were possible for a running back.

I continue to see equal and even lesser players selected...and it frustrates me...because to me...each one of these other selections is a separate snub. It's a separate "F-U" to a man who gave far more to the league and to pro sports than he ever got back. He has been nothing but a steller player...and better yet...a steller example of a man on and off the field. He is an example of a true champion. He not only set the standard for off season training for the Niners...won 3 championships...and made the playoffs just about every year that he played...he also overcame a disability. He was always the perfect example of a professional and a humble man. This is the kind of player that should be enshrined and celebrated.

I think there is more to a.player than strictly numbers...such as impact on his position...and what kind of champion they were. All of this has to be taken into account.

As for the score: 21 should be 30.

4 Pro-bowls = 4 pts
All- pro selections = 8 pts
All-decade team (2nd) = 9 pts
NEA MVP winner = 9 pts

The MVP award that Craig received was given at a time when the league had 2 such awards...one from the AP and one from the NEA (called the Jim Thorpe Memorial Trophy). Both were recognized as MVP awards back in the 1980's. Of course he didn't win the AP award....no surprise. That MVP is awarded as a result of a vote from writers. However, the Jim Thorpe Trophy actually carried more weight. It was awarded as a result of a vote of NFL players and coaches. Many players and Hall of Famers believed that the Jim Thorpe Trophy was the more respected and prestigious award. That trophy is no longer given, seemingly due to changes with the NEA and the AP award edging it out in terms of popularity. But he should get credit for the equivalent recognition.

I don't expect you to change the score. I assume he will continue to be short-changed like he always has been. I just like to educate whenever I see an opportunity to do so.

He has several other awards and accomplishments that I will spare you from.

I don't expect Roger Craig to ever be chosen at this point, particularly with the current senior selection process.

With other equally accomplished and several lesser players being selected...it is clear that there are influential people up the chain within the HOF organization and perhaps the NFL who (for whatever reason) don't want Craig selected. Even players like Eric Dickerson, and Marshall Faulk (and others) say that Craig belongs in the HOF...so this is all about politics behind the scenes...and a group of insiders who don't want him in. So be it.

Roger Craig will go down in history as one of the greatest players never to be enshrined... and one of the few All-Decade Team selections to never get in.

Posted by B.J. on 08/7/2022 @ 02:31am