NFL running back and San Francisco 49ers legend Frank Gore says he isn't finished with his pro career just yet. He has already accomplished a lot over his 15 NFL seasons. Gore ranks third on the all-time rushing list with 15,347 yards, behind just Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton, both of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In fact, every running back in the top 16 of the all-time rushing list, minus Gore and Adrian Peterson, who both played in 2019, are in the Hall of Fame.
Chris Simms of NBC Sports has said in the past that he isn't entirely convinced that Gore is a no-brainer Hall of Famer, though. Fans around the league, especially those in San Francisco, would argue otherwise. In fact, for many, it's difficult to imagine Gore not being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
So, the always-classy Gore joined Simms' Unbuttoned podcast and made his case without tearing down the NBC Sports analyst because of his opinion. Simms couldn't refute Gore's arguments.
The interview itself took place during the week leading to Super Bowl LIV but was released this week.
"Well, I would say, my first six years in San Fran, not to down any of my teammates that I played with," Gore told Simms, "when you came to Candlestick Park, you only knew one guy on the offense who they had to stop, and that's me. As a running back, the more help you've got, the easier it is."
Gore noted that he respects those he played with during his time with the 49ers and didn't want to throw anyone under the bus, but you have to acknowledge that the running back was part of some truly bad teams early on in his career. Being the focus of opposing defenses for years, Gore faced a lot of eight-man fronts, yet still rushed for over 1,000 yards in four of his first five NFL seasons.
"In my first six years, I had four-and-a-half yards a carry with really nothing," Gore added. "... I played with so many different quarterbacks. That's hard on a running back. I played eight-, nine-man fronts almost my whole career."
Simms admits that Gore's arguments are perfectly valid, and the running back was even more motivated after hearing the NBC Sports analyst's opinion.
"I know what I said but I've got mad respect (for you)," Simms told Gore.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Gore below. It begins at about the 11:45 mark.
H/t to Jessica Kleinschmidt of NBC Sports for the find.