Nebraska legend announces dementia diagnosis in Hall of Fame speech

A former Nebraska running back entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Roger Craig is the sixth former Nebraska player to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The former Husker spent 11 seasons in the NFL, nine of them with the San Fransico 49ers. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion in San Fransico with four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro selection in 1988. The former Husker is also a member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and the 49ers Hall of Fame.

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Craig was also the first player to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (1985). The Davenport, Iowa, native played at Nebraska from 1979 to 1982. During his time with the Huskers, he ran for 2,446 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was a second-round selection in the 1983 draft.

Craig did not deliver his speech from the podium and delivered a videotaped speech. In that speech, he announced that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, a condition that leads to cognitive decline and memory loss.

“I want people to know this diagnosis doesn’t define me. I am still Roger Craig. I am still a father, a husband, a teammate, a friend and someone who loves football and the people who brought it to my life. Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, lifelong friends and the platform to grow as a man.”

The former Husker is joined in the 2026 Hall of Fame class by Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska legend announces dementia diagnosis in Hall of Fame speech