Football star Roger Craig revealed on Aug. 8 that he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia.
The former San Francisco 49ers running back shared the health update during a pre-recorded speech that aired as he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
“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,” Craig said.
The speech aired on the large screen inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, where he sat on stage, smiling, shaking hands, and hugging the nearby Hall of Famers.
“The changes were gradual,” Craig said. “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.”
Craig said although he was grateful for the opportunities football provided, he encourages people to monitor their health.
“Two things can be true: football gave me opportunities beyond anything I can imagine,” Craig added. “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.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, vascular dementia is “a decline in thinking skills caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow to various regions of the brain, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients.”
Symptoms of vascular dementia, which is sometimes called vascular cognitive impairment, include confusion, disorientation, trouble speaking, issues understanding speech, poor balance, and numbness or paralysis on one side of the face or body, per the Alzheimer’s Association.
Craig played college ball for the Huskers at the University of Nebraska from 1979 to 1982 before he was drafted in the second round by the 49ers in 1983.
He played with the California-based team from 1983–1990, becoming one of the most versatile players in the National Football League’s history.
“When I learned that Bill Walsh wanted me, that meant something because he saw something in me that others didn’t,” Craig added in his speech on Saturday. “He didn’t just want a running back, he wanted a complete football player. He trusted me to do whatever the team needed.”
In 1985, Craig became the first NFL player to achieve 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
“I didn’t realize I was making history,” Craig recalled in his prerecorded video. “It just felt like we were doing something special as a team.”
Craig, who had a brief stint with the Raiders before ending his career with the Vikings in 1993, held positions as a runner, receiver, and blocker, helping the 49ers win three Super Bowls.
The Pro Football Class of 2026 Enshrinement also included quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
