49ers legend Gore returns, retires, heads for team's HOF
Frank Gore's ceremonial one-day signing with the 49ers on Thursday included a retirement present: entry to their Hall of Fame this coming season.
“Being inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame, one of the most historic franchises in all of sports, is something that is hard to put into words,” Gore said in a teamissued statement. “This organization will always be a part of me, one that I will forever associate myself with. I will talk about San Francisco as `we' and `us' for the rest of my life, and will support the 49ers and The Faithful in every way possible.”
In four years, Gore becomes eligible for enshrinement to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot candidate, as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher.
Gore, 39, verified his retirement Thursday by signing a ceremonial contract with the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round in 2005 and saw him become their franchise rushing king by his departure after the 2014 season.
Gore's long-wished encore
with the 49ers came in closed-door fashion without a press conference.
“One of the very first things I told the 49ers organization when they drafted me in 2005 was that they got the right guy,” Gore said. “I knew early on that I wouldn't let my college career define me in regards to injuries, and that I would have to outwork a lot of people to get to where I wanted to be.
“After 10 years in San Francisco and 16 years in the NFL, I can confidently say that I put all I had into the game of football. Football was and is everything to me. From meetings and film
study to practice and just being in the locker room, all of it meant the world to me. I am happy to officially close this chapter of my life and proud of what I was able to accomplish and the legacy I leave behind.”
Gore will be the 49ers' next entrant to their Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Hall of Fame, complete with a statue among 26 other franchise greats inside the museum at Levi's Stadium, where Gore played his final season with the team.
Gore went on to finish his career with an even 16,000 rushing yards. He did not play last season after previous stops with the Indianapolis
Colts (2015-17), the Miami Dolphins (2018), the Buffalo Bills (2019) and the New York Jets (2020).
Gore's 241 career games are more than any other running back in NFL history. He not only had the third-most yards but third-most carries (3,735), behind Emmitt Smith (4,409 carries, 18,355 yards) and Walter Payton (3,838 carries, 16,726). Gore's 81 rushing touchdowns are tied for 19th-most, nearly half the amount of Smith's record 164.
“Frank had to overcome many challenges upon entering the NFL and now leaves the game not only as one of the best backs in NFL history, but one of the best football players ever,” 49ers CEO Jed York said in a statement.
Gore is No. 1 in NFL history with 12 consecutive seasons of over 1,200 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving, 2006-17).
Last month, Gore won his professional boxing debut in knockout fashion, on his 37th birthday. He has stated a desire to work for the 49ers' personnel department, and, a year ago, York asked him to review potential quarterbacks, with eventual pick Trey Lance earning Gore's endorsement.