49ers great Roger Craig named 2026 Hall of Fame finalist
San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig took a significant step toward football immortality on Wednesday. The former NFL running back was named one of five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining senior finalists Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood, coach finalist Bill Belichick, and contributor finalist Robert Kraft.
To earn induction, Craig must secure at least 80% approval from the Hall of Fame selection committee. Each voter may choose only three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three individuals from this group can be enshrined alongside the modern-era inductees in 2026.
A vote will take place next year, ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Craig's absence from the Hall remains one of the most debated oversights in the eyes of 49ers fans, especially considering his remarkable career accomplishments. In 1985, he became the first player ever to post a "thousand-thousand" season, finishing with 1,050 rushing yards and 1,016 receiving yards.
Three years later, he totaled 2,036 yards from scrimmage—including 1,502 on the ground—during a dominant 1988 campaign.
Over his 11 NFL seasons, Craig amassed 8,189 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns, along with 4,911 receiving yards and 17 touchdown receptions. In the postseason, he added 841 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 606 receiving yards, and two touchdown catches across 18 career playoff games.
A second-round pick by the 49ers in 1983, Craig earned four Pro Bowl selections, a first-team All-Pro honor in 1988, and helped lead San Francisco to three Super Bowl championships.
Dallas Cowboys community grieves 20-year-old Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera as officials probe West Campus incident
DALLAS COWBOYS COMMUNITY GRIEVES 20-YEAR-OLD TEXAS A&M STUDENT BRIANNA AGUILERA AS OFFICIALS PROBE WEST CAMPUS INCIDENT
The Dallas Cowboys community is in shock and mourning following the tragic death of 20-year-old Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera, who was found unresponsive early Saturday morning inside a van parked on West Campus near the University of Texas at Austin.
What was expected to be a weekend of football, camaraderie, and college excitement quickly turned into a heartbreaking story that has shaken students, families, and fans nationwide—including Cowboys supporters who feel the tragedy personally.
Authorities Investigate Circumstances
The Austin Police Department reported that officers responded shortly after midnight to calls about an unresponsive woman in a parked vehicle. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures before transporting Brianna to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Officials confirmed that the Travis County Medical Examiner is conducting a full autopsy and toxicology examination to determine the cause of death. Investigators said they are examining possible signs of s.e.x.u.a.l assault, though no definitive conclusions have been reached.
Shockwaves Through the Cowboys Community
The news has struck a chord with Dallas Cowboys fans, who are known for their passionate and close-knit support of the team. Though Brianna had no direct affiliation with the Cowboys, the tragedy resonated deeply with fans who recognize the fragility of a young life cut tragically short.
Messages of sympathy and grief poured in across social media and fan forums. One fan wrote:
“Football doesn’t matter when you hear news like this. A young life is gone, and it breaks all our hearts. We stand with her family, friends, and the Aggie community.”
Another added:
“This loss affects everyone—students, parents, and fans alike. It’s heartbreaking and unimaginable.”
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
Students in the West Campus area described the scene as typical for a college football weekend: music, laughter, and crowds enjoying the evening. But the mood shifted dramatically when emergency vehicles arrived, and the gravity of the situation became apparent.
Witnesses reported shouting and flashing police lights as officers and medical personnel approached the van. A UT Austin student said:
“It went from fun and lively to everyone whispering and panicking. You could feel that something terrible had happened, even before the details came out.”
Authorities Urge Patience
Police and investigators stressed the importance of avoiding speculation as they continue to examine possible indicators of non-consensual activity.
“We understand the community’s need for answers,” said a spokesperson for the Austin Police Department.
Officials also requested that anyone who may have seen Brianna or witnessed unusual activity near the van come forward.
Communities in Texas and Dallas Stand Together
Texas A&M quickly offered counseling and mental health support for students affected by the tragedy. Candlelight vigils and memorials were organized within hours, with classmates leaving flowers, notes, and pictures in Brianna’s memory.
At the same time, Dallas-area community groups and Cowboys fan clubs expressed solidarity. Many noted that the loss of such a young life resonates deeply, regardless of location.
“Our city and our team know heartbreak,”
A Bright Life Cut Short
Brianna was remembered as a vibrant, kind-hearted student with a bright future. Known for her warmth, strong friendships, and academic ambition, her sudden passing has left family, friends, and communities across Texas and Dallas in mourning.
Social media has been flooded with tributes and memories, reflecting the sorrow of losing a young life full of potential under tragic circumstances.
Awaiting Answers and Healing
As the investigation continues, the medical examiner’s report may provide clarity, but it will not lessen the pain felt by Brianna’s loved ones or the broader Dallas Cowboys and Texas A&M communities.
For now, fans and residents are bound together—not by football or rivalry—but by shared grief, compassion, and hope that justice and healing will follow this devastating loss.
