Mostert living his ‘crazy’ dream
A former surfer, 49ers’ record-setting running back once played for Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert, whose NFL journey included a stint with the Miami Dolphins, is returning to his home state to play in the Super Bowl after delivering one of the most improbable performances in postseason history.
Mostert, a Florida native who played for the Dolphins in 2015, had a record-setting performance in the NFC title game, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday’s 37-20 win over the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 2.
Mostert, a former surfer from New Smyrna Beach, carried the ball only seven times in his first three seasons in the NFL — with five different teams.
“I did have a lot of doubters and naysayers,” said Mostert, who has been cut seven times in his career. “Now I get to actually tell them, ‘Look where I’m at now.’
“I never gave up on my dream,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m in this position going to the Super Bowl in my home state.”
Mostert’s 220 yards were the most in 49ers postseason history and the second-most in NFL playoff history, trailing only Eric Dickerson’s 248 for the Rams on Jan. 4, 1986. He also became the first player to rush for at least four touchdowns and 200 yards in a playoff game. His four touchdowns were the most in an NFC Championship game and second most in playoff history.
“I never gave up on the opportunities when it presented itself,” said Mostert. “And I always worked hard no matter what. And it’s crazy that I’ve been on seven different teams. I actually still have the cut dates. And I look at that before every game. The journey’s been crazy. Not everybody can deal with that type of stress and pain and agony that I went through. I kept the faith in not only myself, but whoever gave me the opportunity.”
Mostert was first signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 as an undrafted free agent out of Purdue.
The Dolphins signed him off the Eagles’ practice squad in 2015. Mostert, who was being used as a kickoff returner in Miami, played in one game for the Dolphins before getting released. The former special-teams ace led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and total yards during the preseason that year.
Mostert, who has become an integral part of the 49ers after leading the team with 772 yards rushing in the regular season, also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Chicago Bears.
“I was a little discouraged in 2015 at the end of that year,” he said. “I was with the Browns. I made the 53-man roster. And then celebrated with my family. And then the next day I got cut.
“I got immune to being cut. And I just wanted — I wanted to show the world what I can do. And honestly it was just one of those things where I really had a talk with my wife and I was saying, ‘What do you think should happen after that cut?’ And she basically said, ‘Hey, if you love your job, if you love this sport, you will do anything for it. And if you love what you do, you would do anything for it.’ ’’
Ironically, the other starting running back in the Super Bowl also played for the Dolphins — Damien Williams, who spent four seasons in Miami (2014-17) before signing a free-agent contract with the Chiefs in 2018.