Craig Hendrickson

Craig Steven Hendrickson (born May 5, 1968) is a Canadian-American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman for 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts. He played college football at Arizona Western College and the University of Minnesota.

Early life and college Craig Steven Hendrickson was born on May 5, 1968, in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Sahuaro High School in Tucson. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota in 1988, where he played for the Golden Gophers with his brother Scott Hendrickson. In April 1988, Hendrickson was one of four University of Minnesota football players evicted from a dorm after dried blood and animal entrails were found. He redshirted in 1988 and was a two-year letterman from 1989 to 1990. As a senior in 1990, Hendrickson played left tackle, right tackle, right guard, and left guard, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors. He majored in criminal justice. He was moved to the team's practice roster on September 4, 1991. Hendrickson became a starting offensive tackle in 1992 and dressed in 15 games for the league's top-rated offensive line, only allowing 33 sacks. The team finished with a 9–9 record, losing in the Western semifinal to the Edmonton Eskimos. He was a starter with his brother, Scott, on Saskatchewan's offensive line in 1993. He was named the team's outstanding offensive lineman in 1993. On September 7, 1994, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos. He had reportedly turned down an offer to join the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad, stating "I'd rather play than sit on the bench and watch or just practise." Hendrickson replaced Mike Dumaresq in Edmonton's starting lineup. Hendrickson dressed in eight games for the Eskimos during the 1994 season.

On May 23, 1996, Hendrickson and Chris Vargas were traded to the BC Lions for Glen Scrivener and BC's first-round pick in the 1997 CFL draft. Hendrickson dressed in 16 games for the Lions as they went 5–13.

On April 2, 1997, Hendrickson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He dressed in all 36 games for Winnipeg from 1997 to 1998, as the team finished 4–14 and 3–15 respectively. He dressed in the first nine games of the 1999 season for the Blue Bombers before being traded to the Toronto Argonauts on September 8, 1999, for Nigel Williams and Brad Elberg. Hendrickson dressed in the final nine games of the season for the Argonauts. Craig dressed in 14 games for the Lions in 2000. Hendrickson dressed in all 18 games during his final CFL season in 2001.

Hendrickson became a free agent after the 2001 season, and retired from the CFL. He finished with career totals of 169 games dressed, 12 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and two receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown. He spent 16 years as a full-time minister after his CFL career.

Hendrickson's father Lefty Hendrickson and brother Scott Hendrickson both played in the CFL as well.