Iowa raised him. Nebraska toughened him. San Francisco crowned him. Canton immortalized him.
33FACTS for #33
Wore #33 when playing for the 49ers
Retired from the NFL in 1993 - at the age of 33 (he was born on July 10, 1960)
He will be inducted into the PFHOF just a few weeks after his 66th birthday
A 3x Super Bowl Champion
Featured in the Dire Straits “Walk of Life” video at 3:13
First player to score three (3) touchdowns in a Super Bowl (SBXIX)
In his 3rd season, he became the first in NFL history to run and receive for 1,000+ yards in the same season
One of only 3 players to accomplish the achievement of 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same NFL season
Total yards rushing and receiving in his NFL career (regular season) - 13,100 - and 13,143 yards overall (including post-season)
One of three running backs to ever record 100 receiving yards or more in a Super Bowl
Celebrated as the triple threat and a new type of running back - one who was elite in running, catching, and pass protection
Voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026 - 33 years after his retirement
Known as the Triple Crown Running Back (1985) - Craig led the NFL running backs in rushing touchdowns, receptions, and total yards from scrimmage
73 career NFL touchdowns
Vernessia and Roger were married on May 7, 1983 (and will have been married for 43 years when he is inducted into the PFHOF)
Played for 3 NFL teams throughout his entire career. San Fransico 49ers (1983-1990) Los Angeles Raiders (1991), and Minnesota Vikings (1992-1993)
His iconic jersey number (33) equals 3 × 11, and he played 11 NFL seasons
First running back in 49ers history to recored 3 seperate 1,000 yard rushing seasons (1985, 1988, 1989)
After his NFL career, ran in over 30 marathons / half marathons spreading across 20 years
Growing up, he played many sports competitively, those sports being football, track & field, wrestling, basketball, and even boxing
Grew up in Davenport, Iowa. Always knew he wanted to play football to carry on his brother Curtis' legacy in the city.
Was described as a warrior on a horse, someone who could do anything that was needed of them. A truly multifaceted person.
Almost committed to the University of Iowa but later switched his commitment to the University of Nebraska
Was named a pro bowler 4 times throughout his entire career (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989)
As intense of a a player he was, he was a truly humerous person, someone who loved to joke around and laugh with his friends
His high-knee running stride was developed through intense hurdling throughout high school and college
He was part of the school’s undefeated 1976 Iowa state-title team. It was Davenport Central’s only state football championship
In 1978, he rushed for 1,565 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, earning high-school All-America recognition
In his 1st 1,000-yard receiving and rushing season, Roger was actually a fullback, the only FB ever to do so in NFL history
He finished college with 2,446 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He averaged exactly 6.0 yards per carry during his Nebraska career.
Led the entire NFL in receptions in 1985, recording a staggering 92 receptions to beat not just all RBs, but also receivers and TEs
He built a business career and served as vice president of business development at the enterprise software company TIBCO (here with RC Owens)
His 508 catches and 4,442 receiving yards for San Francisco are the most by a running back in franchise history