Gore signs 1-day deal to retire with 49ers
Ex-UM star Frank Gore’s ceremonial, oneday 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 team-issued 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, one-day 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 to 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, who won a national championship with the University of Miami in 2001, went on to finish his NFL career with an even 16,000 rushing yards. He did not play last season after previous stops at the Indianapolis Colts (201517), the Miami Dolphins (2018), the Buffalo Bills (2019) and the New York Jets (2020).
Gore is No. 1 in NFL history with 12 consecutive seasons of more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving, 2006-17).
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‘Fitzmagic’ retires: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is retiring, ending a 17-year NFL career that spanned nine teams including the Miami Dolphins, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Thursday.
The decision was made public when former Buffalo Bills teammate Fred Jackson tweeted a screenshot of a text message from Fitzpatrick.
“Forever grateful for the magical ride,” the message read.
Fitzpatrick, 39, who became a fan favorite to many with his distinctive beard and trademark antics, is in talks to join Amazon’s NFL coverage as he enters retirement, the person confirmed, although his exact role is unclear.