Frank Gore to be Inducted Into 49ers Hall of Fame; Ceremony Set for Week 1 vs. Jets
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVAugust 1, 2024
Frank Gore will become the 31st member of the San Francisco 49ers' Hall of Fame.
The 49ers announced on Thursday they will hold a ceremony for Gore's induction during halftime of their Week 1 game against the New York Jets on Sept. 9.
San Francisco 49ers @49ersThe 49ers today announced that Frank Gore will be the newest inductee into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in San Francisco's Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets on Monday, September 9th π <br><br>Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/jKa14Z94dB">https://t.co/jKa14Z94dB</a>. <a href="https://t.co/PT6heQYRDi">pic.twitter.com/PT6heQYRDi</a>
Per The Athletic's Matt Barrows, Gore's official induction ceremony will be held one day earlier on Sept. 8.
On June 2, 2022, the Niners announced Gore signed a one-day deal to formally retire as a member of the organization he spent the first 10 years of his career playing for. The announcement also included a note that he would be inducted into their Hall of Fame. He's the 49ers' all-time leading rusher (11,073 yards).
When fans think of the greatest running backs ever, Gore almost certainly wouldn't crack the top 10 and might struggle to earn top-20 consideration.
His five Pro Bowl nods are solid but not an impressive total for the purposes of an all-time discussion. He never led the NFL in rushing, either. His 1,695 yards in 2006βthe most he ever had in a single seasonβwere only good enough for third behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson.
Through his longevity, however, the 16-year NFL veteran became one of the most productive runners in league history. He passed Barry Sanders for third in rushing yards in 2019 and finished with 16,000 yards on the ground. His 81 touchdowns leave him tied for 19th on the career list.
New York Jets @nyjetsPlayers with 16,000 career rush yards.<br><br>- Emmitt Smith<br>- Walter Payton<br>- πππΌππ ππππ<br><br>Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/frankgore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@frankgore</a>! <a href="https://t.co/5C9dTIHLaM">pic.twitter.com/5C9dTIHLaM</a>
CBS Sports @CBSSportsIf the NFL has seen the last of Frank Gore, letβs take a moment to appreciate his greatness.<br><br>β’ 16,000 rush yds (3rd all-time)<br>β’ 9 1,000-yard seasons<br>β’ 5x Pro Bowler<br>β’ 49ers all-time rushing leader<br>β’ 241 games played (most all-time by a RB) <a href="https://t.co/67yzaJPKDk">pic.twitter.com/67yzaJPKDk</a>
Legendary NFL scribe Gil Brandt argued in May 2019 that Gore was a "lock" for the Hall of Fame:
"Consistent excellence is what Gore will most be remembered for. The 15th-year pro is the only player in NFL history to have logged 1,200-plus scrimmage yards in 12 consecutive seasons, and he ranks fifth all-time in career yards from scrimmage (18,544). He's also scored five-plus touchdowns in 11 consecutive seasons, which is tied for the best mark in history. He might not have the sizzle to land in Canton as a first-ballot guy, but he's definitely bound to wear a gold jacket someday."
It's hard to argue with that rationale. Consistency and durability should count for something at a position where even the best often hit a wall in their early 30s.
Gore will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. He will be the first player added to the 49ers' Hall of Fame since 2021 when Patrick Willis and John Taylor were inducted.
Although he may not get the call on the first ballot, his resume will likely eventually earn him a spot in Canton, Ohio.
