SANTA CLARA -- Raheem Mostert is goofy-footed, which as a surfer, is like being left-handed.
Mostert's surfing celebrations have gone viral this season, as the 49ers running back has mimicked surfing in the end zone following a score.
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But surfing with your right foot forward isn’t the only thing that’s unique about the 49ers running back. He has started to share his touchdown celebrations with the offensive line, giving them the football to spike in recognition of their ability to open lanes to the end zone.
“I started it with the O-linemen just to give them some props,” Mostert told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’m striving to get all the O-linemen. Hopefully, it will work here in the playoffs when I score. We’ll see.”
In Week 17, Mostert gave the ball to both Laken Tomlinson and Joe Staley to lead the group spike in the end zone.
Mostert hasn’t left the surfing celebration for good though.
“I’m still going to go back to it, but I wanted to give them the recognition they deserve,” Mostert said.
San Francisco 49ers
Mostert’s path to being the go-to running back of the 49ers has also been unconventional. Over his four seasons in the NFL, he has spent time on five different teams -- primarily as a standout special teams gunner.
The 27-year-old now leads the 49ers in rushing with 772 yards and a 5.6 yards-per-carry average. He also leads the team with 10 touchdowns -- eight on the ground and two receiving.
Mostert might seem like an overnight success to outsiders, but there were glimpses of his ability in 2018 when he averaged nearly 7.7 yards per carry. Unfortunately for Mostert, his season ended abruptly due to a broken arm in Week 9 but not before he racked up a86 yards on just seven carries against the Raiders during that game.
“Coming back off that injury that I had, kind of set me back mentally,” Mostert said. “Even more so when I had the second surgery. It was one of those things where I felt I had to come back and do better where I had left off at.”
The 49ers backfield looked to be stacked heading into the beginning of the season. But injuries to Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman over the course of the year opened the door for Mostert, just as they had in 2018. His rise to the top of the depth chart might have surprised even himself.
"It’s just one of those things where I take it for what it is, and I’m truly blessed to be in the situation that I am,” Mostert said. “Just got to keep going. It’s a shocker, but hey, that’s what happens when you believe in yourself and you have people that believe in you too.”
One of the biggest believers in Mostert’s abilities is coach Kyle Shanahan. Mostert credited his coach’s blocking schemes as an advantage for the offense but noted it takes everyone doing their part to be successful.
“You really got to know the fronts and what type of technique, if it’s a 3-tech or a 4-I,” Mostert said. “It’s one of those things where you really have to read the defense, and make your correct holes and correct reads.
“That’s why I give them the ball. They do such a great job opening up the holes for me, and I just read it. Same thing for all of us running backs. We all just read the holes that are coming to us.”
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The 49ers have a tough challenge ahead this Saturday in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Minnesota Vikings, who are tied for second in the league with only eight rushing touchdowns allowed during the regular season.
They'll have to be up to it if Mostert is going to be able to celebrate with his offensive line once again.