49ers’ Terrell Owens a Hall of Fame finalist; Roger Craig again misses cut

Terrell Owens has a chance to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Another former 49er, Roger Craig, was shut out again as the list was pared from 25 semifinalists to 15 finalists Thursday.

Craig, the first player in NFL history with at least 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in one season, has been a semifinalist eight times and a finalist once, in 2010.

Owens played for five teams during his career but rose to prominence with the 49ers with whom he created his notorious T.O. persona. His 15,934 receiving yards are the second-most in NFL history, behind only one-time 49ers teammate Jerry Rice (22,895). Owens was one of three former players who became a finalist in his first year of eligibility. The others are quarterback Brett Favre and guard Alan Faneca.

Defensive end/linebacker Kevin Greene, who played for the 49ers in 1997, was also was named a finalist. Receiver Isaac Bruce did not make the cut. His career ended with a two-year stint in San Francisco.

In September, former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., was selected in the contributor category. That means he must get 80 percent of the final vote to make it into the hall of fame.

DeBartolo, who owned the 49ers during all five of the franchise’s Super Bowl victories, was the Hall of Fame presenter for Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Fred Dean, Rice and Charles Haley, who was inducted last August.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:19 PM with the headline "49ers’ Terrell Owens a Hall of Fame finalist; Roger Craig again misses cut."