Two Things Can Be True: Roger Craig, Football and Formation

Is football a moral issue? I once heard a response to that very question; it stopped me in my tracks. While I do not totally agree, I do know that many parents have stronger opinions about allowing their child play football (or not) than they do about using drugs and alcohol.  Some liken the NFL to the Roman Empire, replete with its gladiatorial games. They would be more than happy if football just went away. The truth is, it's not going away. And the  Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 reminded me why it shouldn't.

Those who wear the gold jacket are not ordinary individuals who found success on the gridiron. These athletes are extraordinary men, and each one offered insight into why football is a great game and how it shaped them. Though each speech followed a similar outline—each man recognizing the shoulders upon which he stands, congratulating his classmates, and acknowledging parents, family members, wives, coaches, and teammates—each was also unique. Adversity is a stranger to no one and extends far, far beyond the losses on the field. (I was unaware of Drew Brees' mother's death by suicide.) And still, the second Sunday in August is a day to reflect and remember, give thanks and extend gratitude to God. I can't help but think that if football is a moral issue, then perhaps we should also ask what kind of men—and what kind of people—it helps us become.

As they prepare for a new school year and a fresh season, I believe every high school and youth coach should consider this question. The purpose of this post is to offer one way to enter the season intentionally and collectively—and to begin answering that question together. Thank you, Roger Craig.

Bay Area sports fans were blessed with not one but two Roger Craigs. This Roger was drafted in 1983 by Bill Walsh out of the University of Nebraska (shout out Emerson family!) and was a three time Super Bowl champion. The other Roger Craig also came to Candlestick Park where he managed the Giants baseball team from 1985–1992. In 1989, he led the Giants to the National League pennant—their first since 1962. Humm Baby!

Selected through the Seniors process, it is easy to make a case for Roger Craig’s induction. In fact, his Hall of Fame résumé was evident shortly after his retirement in 1993 (although Canton regulates a five year waiting period). In 1985, Craig became the first player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. A Four-time Pro Bowler, Craig is known for his distinctive high-knee running style and extraordinary versatility as both a runner and receiver. In 1988, he was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Fun fact: when I ran the Rock n Roll half marathon in San Jose in 2007, I saw him at the finish line. He looked radiant. #33!

Although he was present on the stage—hugging former teammates and friends, Craig elected to show a recording of his speech. Why? He has been diagnosed with vascular dementia—a condition his doctors believe is at least partly connected to head trauma from his football career. This is the price too many players have paid for football. This reality is at the heart of that moral question. And this another reason why coaches ought to show his speech to their team.

One might wonder, Why would a coach spread this story? One might think, What type of parent lets their child play with the pigskin? Craig explains why.

Today, there's another chapter I want to share.

I've been diagnosed with vascular dementia that my doctors believe may be related, at least in part, to the concussions I experienced during my career.

The changes were gradual.

At first, they were easy to dismiss as normal aging.

Over time, my family noticed it, too, and ultimately led us to seek answers from my doctor.

Two things can be true: football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine.

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.

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 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.

Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, lifelong friends, and the platform to grow as a man.

What he says is true: a sport can shape a person into who they become—for better or worse. While the health risks always ought to be considered, the truth is that some men are alive because of football. They need the structure, discipline and sacrifice it demands, and for some, football provides a place where aggression and physicality can be channeled in a structured and purposeful way. Football teaches a person what it means to be part of a team and illuminates how different body types, heights and weights can contribute in unique and essential ways. The 5'7" running back and the 6'6" offensive lineman need one another. The player who starts every game and the one who rarely sees the field are both part of something larger than themselves. 

What we must learn from his example is that coaches and athletes have a moral obligation to speak about brain health and the risks of concussions. While many might be tempted to ignore the issue or stay silent, a team should promote a moral imperative to seek help and follow up on any injury, especially to the brain. For those of us who want football to NOT go away, we must speak truth to this power.

Craig said "I didn't realize I was making history, it just felt like we were doing something special as a team." Well once again, he is making history. We know how hard work, staying humble and keeping the faith can transform a person, a team and an entire city. Living out his message is something every football team should do this season. I would start.

Perhaps that is the answer to the question I posed at the beginning: Is football a moral issue? It can be. Not simply because of the risks it carries, but because of the people it forms. Football will teach something to every young person who plays it. The question is whether we, as coaches, will be intentional about what we teach.

So as another season begins, perhaps every coach should ask: What kind of people are we becoming through this game? And what kind of people are we helping our athletes become?

Forty Niner fans got a sense of who Roger Craig was and is. We are better for it. Grateful, too.

Photo Credits
Roger and Bronze
Class of 2026
Niner RB
Video of speech