Back when Jim Harbaugh was the 49ers’ head coach from 2011-14, he often touted Frank Gore as a future Hall of Famer.
Gore was very good then, but Canton-worthy? Now it’s 2020 and Gore is making Harbaugh look prophetic.
On Sunday, Gore rushed for 48 yards for the New York Jets and became the third player in NFL history to reach the 16,000-yard mark for his career, joining Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726).
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During Gore’s 10 seasons with the 49ers, he racked up five Pro Bowls, eight 1,000-yard seasons and 11,073 rushing yards total. That’s more than 69 percent of his career rushing yards with San Francisco, as he has also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018) and Buffalo Bills.
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But the 37-year-old only is averaging 3.5 yards per carry, the lowest figure in all his 16 seasons, and is clearly in the twilight of his career. It’s very possible that next week could be his final NFL game when the Jets travel to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots. Then again, people have been writing off Gore for years now, but he still manages to break training camp and get carries.
So don't be surprised if Gore signs a ceremonial retirement contract with the 49ers this offseason. It’s a matter of when, not if, Gore will get his gold jacket from Canton. When he does get the call, it would only be fitting if he was enshrined as a 49er.
