Two 49ers have been chosen as 2017 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Wide receiver Terrell Owens and running back Roger Craig will be considered among 24 other finalists. The inductees will be announced during Super Bowl weekend in Houston.
Owens played with the 49ers from 1996-2003 and finished his career with 156 touchdowns (fifth of all-time) and 1,078 receptions (sixth of all-time). When he retired, he was second of all-time in receiving yards with 15,934. T.O. led the league in touchdown receptions three different times.
No matter how you feel about him personally, the time has come to admit T.O. is a Hall of Famer.
Owens was one of the most dominant wide receivers of an entire era, and while no Jerry Rice, the production he put up on the field is worthy of Canton — now. After a snub last season to prove he wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, Owens shouldn’t have to wait any longer because of his antics. At a position that’s filled with divas, Owens’s production was worth the drama.
T.O. won countless football games for the 49ers, Eagles and Cowboys throughout the years with his big playmaking ability. Do we even know who Jeff Garcia and Tony Romo are if it wasn’t for Owens? His numbers speak for themselves. Even though teams traded him, he was dominant for an extremely long period of time.
A group of NFL writers currently vote for the Hall of Fame. One voter said last year Owens’s discussion was the second-longest debate. His behavior in the locker room ultimately cost him, although there are people who argue his obsessive attitude actually was contagious among teammates.
It should not cost him any longer.
Additionally, Roger Craig played with the 49ers from (1983-1990), won three Super Bowls, earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and was named to the 1980s All-Decade team. It’s unlikely he’ll be inducted, but crazier things have happened before.
Here’s a list of all the finalists:
1. Morten Anderson, kicker (New Orleans Saints, 1982-1994; Atlanta Falcons, 1995-2000; 2006-07; New York Giants, 2001; Kansas City Chiefs, 2002-03; Minnesota Vikings, 2004)
2. Steve Atwater, safety (Denver Broncos, 1989-1998; New York Jets, 1999)
3. Tony Boselli, offensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001; Houston Texans, 2002)
4. Isaac Bruce, wide receiver (Los Angeles Rams, 1994; St. Louis Rams, 1995-2007; San Francisco 49ers, 2008-09)
5. Don Coryell, coach (St. Louis Cardinals, 1973-77; San Diego Chargers, 1978-1986)
6. Roger Craig, running back (San Francisco 49ers, 1983-1990; Los Angeles Raiders, 1991; Minnesota Vikings, 1992-93)
7. Terrell Davis, running back (Denver Broncos, 1995-2001)
8. Brian Dawkins, safety (Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-2011)
9. Alan Faneca, guard (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1998-2007; New York Jets, 2008-09; Arizona Cardinals, 2010)
10. Chris Hinton, offensive tackle/guard (Baltimore Colts, 1983; Indianapolis Colts, 1984-89; Atlanta Falcons, 1990-93; Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95)
11. Torry Holt, wide receiver (St. Louis Rams, 1999-2008; Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009)
12. Joe Jacoby, offensive tackle (Washington Redskins, 1981-1993)
13. Edgerrin James, running back (Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005; Arizona Cardinals, 2006-08; Seattle Seahawks, 2009)
14. Jimmy Johnson, coach (Dallas Cowboys, 1989-1993; Miami Dolphins, 1996-99)
15. Mike Kenn, offensive tackle (Atlanta Falcons, 1978-1994)
16. Ty Law, cornerback (New England Patriots, 1995-2004; New York Jets, 2005, ’08; Kansas City Chiefs, 2006-07; Denver Broncos, 2009)
17. John Lynch, safety (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1993-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-07)
18. Clay Matthews, linebacker (Cleveland Browns, 1978-1993; Atlanta Falcons, 1994-96)
19. Kevin Mawae, center (Seattle Seahawks, 1994-97; New York Jets, 1998-2005; Tennessee Titans, 2006-09)
20. Karl Mecklenburg, linebacker (Denver Broncos, 1983-1994)
21. Terrell Owens, wide receiver (San Francisco 49ers, 1996-2003; Philadelphia Eagles, 2004-05; Dallas Cowboys, 2006-08; Buffalo Bills, 2009; Cincinnati Bengals, 2010)
22. Jason Taylor, defensive end (Miami Dolphins, 1997-2007, ’09, 2011; Washington Redskins, 2008; New York Jets, 2010)
23. LaDainian, Tomlinson, running back (San Diego Chargers, 2001-09; New York Jets, 2010-11)
24. Hines Ward, wide receiver (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1998-2011)
25. Kurt Warner, quarterback (St. Louis Rams, 1998-2003; New York Giants, 2004; Arizona Cardinals, 2005-09)
26. Darren Woodson, safety (Dallas Cowboys, 1992-2003)