San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore will be the newest name in the organization’s Hall of Fame.
The San Francisco 49ers‘ Hall of Fame was established in 2009. And now, running back Frank Gore becoming the 31st name to join the exclusive list. Gore will be officially inducted on prior to the 49ers Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets on September 9 at Levi’s Stadium.
Gore easily meets the required 49ers Hall of Fame candidate qualification, which states that each player must have “displayed outstanding production and performance on the field, key contributions to the team’s success and/or the embodiment of the spirit and essence of the San Francisco 49ers.”
Frank Gore’s contribution to the 49ers
Gore had a 10-year stint in San Francisco from 2005-2014 to start his career. He followed that by playing for the Indianapolis Colts from 2015-2017, before ending his career in the AFC East playing for the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets from 2018-2020.
The Miami native was fresh faced out of college and drafted as a third-round pick. Gore became an instant fan favorite with the Niners faithful, before earning his place as starting running back in his second year with the team.
During his career with the 49ers, Gore accumulated multiple accomplishments. He established franchise records in rushing yards (11,073), rushing attempts (2,442) and accumulated a total of 64 rushing touchdowns. Gore is second only to Jerry Rice in scrimmage yards with 13,956 during his time in San Francisco, a distant second to Rice’s 19,872 yards.
Gore’s 16,000 career rushing yards are the third-most in NFL history, behind Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith. His 3,735 career rushing attempts also ranks him third behind Payton and Smith. Gore’s nickname “The Inconvenient Truth” described his approach to football. It’s a nickname that stuck with him throughout his illustrious career.
The 49ers starlet was selected as a Pro Bowler on five separate occasions, all of which were earned when he played a key part in the Niners’ offense in 2006, 2009, and from 2011-2013. His individual contributions led to him receiving a place in the NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team, alongside former team-mates Joe Staley and Patrick Willis.
Gore is a two-time recipient of the San Francisco 49ers Bill Walsh Award, an award given annually to the player that best represents the standards of professional excellence. He won this iconic award on two separate occasions in 2006 and 2010.
These accolades and contributions to the franchise places him as the team’s all time greatest running back.
The only accolade that Gore lacked in his tenure in north California was receiving the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Gore and the 49ers would lose in the NFC Championship Game on two occasions in 2011 and 2013. The 49ers almost went the distance in 2012, but were edged out by the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII.
Gore was a key component to Jim Harbaugh’s offense in those three years, featuring in a stacked team that had the likes of Patrick Willis, Colin Kaepernick and Vernon Davis.
Frank Gore is an all-time NFL RB great
Gore is the only player in NFL history to have produced 1,200-plus scrimmage yards in 12 consecutive seasons, and ranks fifth all-time in career yards from scrimmage (a total of 18,544).
He’s also scored five-plus touchdowns in 11 consecutive seasons, which is tied for the best in NFL history.
Gore’s consistency throughout his whole career made him a reliable asset no matter the team he played at. It’s rare to see a running back sustain that level of consistency throughout their respective career.
