Frank Gore entered the NFL as a third-round pick with the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. Seventeen years later, the fan favorite is calling it a career. On Thursday, the running back signed a one-day contract with the 49ers, officially retiring with the team that drafted him.
The 49ers also announced that Gore will be inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame during the 2022 season, becoming the 31st member in franchise history to be inducted.
"We are thrilled to induct Frank Gore into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame, his rightful place among our all-time greats," said 49ers CEO Jed York via a statement issued by the team. "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. Frank's 16-year NFL career is a testament to his durability, having played in more games than any other running back in league history. His grit, toughness and commitment to greatness earned him the respect of his coaches, teammates and opponents. We knew this day would come when Frank would retire a 49er and we look forward to The Faithful celebrating his induction into the 49ers Hall of Fame in Levi's Stadium this upcoming season."
#49ers legend @frankgore signs his one-day deal and retires with the team that drafted him. He'll be inducted into the 49ers HOF this season. After that? Canton. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/53uLzm8ySf
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) June 2, 2022
Gore, 39, ranks No. 3 all-time with exactly 16,000 rushing yards. Only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton rank above him. Aside from Gore and Adrian Peterson, all 16 running backs at the top of the career-rushing leaders list are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gore's 11,073 rushing yards through 10 seasons with San Francisco are the most by a single player in franchise history. The running back went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), and New York Jets (2020), finishing his career with 81 rushing touchdowns to go along with his hefty rushing-yard total. He did not play in 2021.
"One of the very first things I told the 49ers organization when they drafted me in 2005 was that they got the right guy," said Gore via a statement. "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.
"I want to thank my entire family who was with me the entire way. I would also like to thank Denise and Dr. York, Jed York and each coach I was fortunate enough to play for. To my teammates, the ones I sweat and strained with every game, thank you for continuing to push me to want more and not settle for the status quo. 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. 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."
A member of the 49ers' 10-year club, which acknowledges all players whose tenures with the team reached the 10-year mark, Gore is also a two-time recipient (2006, 2010) of the 49ers' Bill Walsh Award, given annually to the player that best represented the standard of professional excellence established by the legendary coach.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan admired Gore's ability to play in the NFL, at one of the most punishing positions, for 16 seasons.
"I love Frank Gore," Shanahan said in 2020, ahead of a game against Gore and the Jets. "I think he's one of the best running backs to ever play. I think one of the more underrated running backs to ever play. ... He runs so hard. The guys that run that hard very rarely can play to his age, which just shows how dedicated he is, how much of a football player he is, and obviously extremely talented. He's a special dude."
During his illustrious NFL career, Gore was selected to five Pro Bowls and named to the 2010s All-Decade Team. He rushed for at least 1,000 yards in nine of his first 12 NFL seasons. Eight of those nine seasons came with the 49ers.
The next NFL stop for Gore after the 49ers Hall of Fame is Canton.
