Iconic 49ers Rb Roger Craig Announces He Has Vascular Dementia During Hall Of Fame Speech: 'this Diagnosis Doesn't Define Me'

Newly enshrined Pro Football Hall of Fame running Roger Craig chronicled his illustrious career, as well as those who helped him along the way, during a pre-recorded speech Saturday afternoon in Canton, Ohio.

At the end of that speech, the 66-year-old San Francisco 49ers icon shared his latest chapter, which he revealed has included him navigating a vascular dementia diagnosis he said his doctors believe may be related, at least in part, to the concussions he suffered during his 11 NFL seasons.

"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. Two things can be true. Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I can 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."

Craig concluded: "Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, lifelong friends and a platform to grow as a man. This honor belongs to my parents, who started it all. It belongs to my wife, Vernessia, my children, and grandchildren, and it belongs to every coach, teammate and fan who is a part of this journey. I'm grateful. I'm grateful for this game, grateful for the people it brought into my life. I'm grateful I can stand before you today and call this journey a blessing."

Vascular dementia is the second-most common form after Alzheimer disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, which says that the issue comes from decreased blood flow damaging brain tissue. The blood flow disruption can develop in different ways.

Symptoms depend on the amount of brain tissue involved, plus the location of the area affected. Among others, those symptoms can include problems with focus, communication and memory.

Craig spent his first eight NFL seasons with the 49ers, whom he helped win three Super Bowls as San Francisco authored a four-title dynasty in the 1980s.

He earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors for his efforts in a 1988 campaign that ended with one of those rings. That time around, Craig rushed for a career-high 1,502 yards.

His most prolific season, though, came in 1985: He piled up a personal-best 2,066 scrimmage yards, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark on the ground and as a receiver. That hadn't been done before in the league, and it's a feat only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have achieved since. Craig caught 92 passes that season and clocked out with 15 total touchdowns.

"When I learned that Bill Walsh wanted me, that meant something because he saw something in me that others didn't," Craig said in his Hall of Fame speech.

"He didn't just want a running back. He wanted a complete football player. He trusted me to do whatever the team needed. That's why the thousand yards rushing, the thousand yards receiving season means so much to me. We weren't chasing numbers. We were chasing Ws, wins. I didn't realize I was making history. It just felt like we were doing something special as a team."