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Frank Gore Will Eye History Sunday And Try To Join Elite Company

By Jerrell Richardson

There are several 49er players who might not be in a San Francisco uniform next year, and amongst them is the franchises leading rusher Frank Gore. The 10-year veteran is getting up there in age, and with the short shelf life of an NFL back it can’t be ignored that the end of his career is closing in on him. However, his numbers indicate that he is far from done, and still one of the best running backs in the league.

While the playoffs were out of the question weeks ago, there is still one big goal that this team can accomplish in 2014, and that’s to get Gore another 1,000 yard season. If able to gain 38 rushing yards this Sunday, Gore will eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the 8th time in his 10 year career, and if able to gain 39 yards will jump Warrick Dunn for 20th rushing yards all time. If able to at least reach 1,000 yards, Gore will become just the 9th back ever to accomplish this feat, joining a very elite list. If there is a chance that the 49ers aren’t bringing back a player who has spent his entire career with them, the least the organization can do is help Gore further solidify his place in Canton and go out with a bang.

The idea that Frank Gore could or should be released is absurd. The past four seasons he has been essentially the same player, production wise, and this was in the midst of them dominating the NFC on their way to three straight NFC Championship games. In fact, the past two seasons he has posted almost identical numbers. In 2013 he rushed for 1,128 yards on a 4.1 yard average, and scored nine touchdowns. This season, while his touchdowns are down, his average is actually up (4.2) and he has close to 40 less touches, so there is no visible decline. His 962 rushing yards this season rank him 12th, which doesn’t wow you, but is better than most, and it can’t be ignored that, unlike the 11 backs ahead of him, none share the load with another back like he did this season with Carlos Hyde.

The 49ers have very little to play for in the regular season finale, however, they still have a game to try and win, and a game plan that they will need to stick to, but the bottom line is that the team owes it to Gore to help him break the 1,000 yard mark. It helps that for San Francisco to be successful they need to run the ball. So while the team can’t ignore the game plan and just hand Gore the ball over and over, Gore touching the ball early and often figures to be a big part of the game plan to begin with, and if Gore can’t amass 38 yards, than 49ers will most likely lose the game anyways.

So 49er fans this Sunday can summon their inner fantasy football fan, and for this game only, root for not only the team to win, but be just as concerned with Frank Gore’s rushing total. You would think it would be a foregone conclusion that Gore would be able to get 40 yards. After all, he had more yards than that on one run this past week, and is averaging 64.1 yards per game. However, he has also had six games where he has been held under 40 yards, and the defense he is playing held him to 10 yards in their only other meeting this year. So Gore breaking 1,000 yards is not a lock.

This Sunday, grab your popcorn, #21 jersey and sit back and appreciate greatness. This could be Frank Gore’s last game in a 49er uniform and he has a chance to give the team and fans something positive to end this season. It’s fitting that the one player who has been there through so much with this organization—in the regular season home finale, in perhaps his final game—can accomplish something that few others can say they have done, or will ever do. With or without his 1,000 yard season, Frank Gore is still a first ballot hall of famer and a player who personifies class; one that the team should do everything in their power to bring back for at least another season.

For more 49ers news and updates, visit 49ers Central.

Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. Jerrell is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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