Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Frank Gore is about to make some history.
DAVIE — Every time Frank Gore touched the football in his Miami Dolphins debut, he was serenaded by a long, deep “U” chant from the Hard Rock Stadium crowd.
It added to the joy of returning to South Florida for Gore, the former Coral Gables High standout and University of Miami legend who nearly made NFL history last Sunday.
Now, Gore could fittingly accomplish a career feat in the Dolphins’ Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.
After gaining 61 yards in his debut, Gore is 15 yards shy of passing former Jets standout Curtis Martin for fourth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.
“That’s big, but I’m still playing so I really don’t think about it,” Gore said.
“I want to still compete with the young guys playing now. Whenever I retire, that’s when I’ll think about it.”
Gore, in his 14th season, started his 109th consecutive game on Sunday, most among active NFL running backs. It was also his 113th game in a row, the most among active NFL offensive skill players.
And Gore excited the Dolphins fan base early with a 21-yard run that set up quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s 10-yard pass to receiver Kenny Stills for the team’s first touchdown of the season early in the second quarter.
Gore split carries with Kenyan Drake, who finished with 14 touches for 48 yards against the Titans.
“It was fun. I’m enjoying home,” Gore said. “We got the win, and that’s the biggest thing. I just want to keep going out there, and keep getting respect, and keep trying to do something to help my team be successful.”
Gore entered the season 75 yards shy of tying Martin, who had 14,101 yards from 1995-2005.
If Gore accomplishes the feat this Sunday, he’ll be looking up at only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269) on the all-time rushing list.