Raheem Mostert has some big aspirations. The biggest football-related one might be the San Francisco 49ers running back being motivated by Canton. He hopes to have a good enough career to one day find himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
If last season's Green Bay Packers defense were the voters, Mostert might be a shoo-in. The former undrafted player rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries against the Packers defense in the NFC Championship Game, helping to punch the 49ers' ticket to Super Bowl LIV.
"[The performance] really opened up my eyes," Mostert said in April. "[I said], 'Hey look, I did this. Why stop? Just keep going. Keep doing the right things, the necessary things in order to be great.' That's something I want to be, man. I want to be able to have a gold jacket, and the only way to do that is to be great."
NFL Network is counting down the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. No, Mostert is not on the list — yet. He hopes to one day be, though. Cornerback Richard Sherman believes he can accomplish that.
Mostert congratulated Sherman on his No. 28 ranking on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
Ayyyyeee congrats my brotha! @RSherman_25 https://t.co/iZ5y5X0VIc
— Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) July 29, 2020
The veteran corner responded with the following.
Preciate you brother. Can't wait to see you on it!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 29, 2020
Mostert followed that up with this.
Don't you worry imma get there! Just wait!
— Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) July 29, 2020
The 49ers on Monday finalized a new deal for Mostert, which could potentially double his salary for the upcoming season without severely impacting the team's salary cap. The move came after Mostert's agent requested a trade due to what he felt to be unproductive contract discussions.
The running back remains signed through the 2021 season.
Another 49ers running back, Jerick McKinnon, is motivated by the NFL Top 100 Players list. He is working his way back from an ACL injury suffered just before the 2018 season. Signed during that offseason, McKinnon has yet to take a regular-season snap with San Francisco.
All my teammates /potnas around league who made top 100 y'all are motivation 🙏🏾
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) July 29, 2020
Besides Sherman, three other players — linebacker Fred Warner, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and defensive end Nick Bosa — have landed on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. Tight end George Kittle's position within the top 10 will be revealed today.