Boxer Frank Gore remains hopeful 49ers will call

Frank Gore is a busy man these days. The future Hall of Fame NFL running back is preparing for his pro boxing debut against former NBA star Deron Williams on Saturday. However, he still loves the team that drafted him in 2005—the San Francisco 49ers. Even while training for this weekend's event, he is doing so in a 49ers tank top, and his fight entrance outfit colors are red and gold.

Gore's official fight t-shirt features him in a 49ers uniform.

You may think that Gore has moved on from the NFL. He still has a yearning for the game, though—under the right circumstances, of course.

"I'm gonna see," Gore told TMZ in November. "I might get a call from whoever might go to the Super Bowl. I might go with them. I'm not sure yet."

If the Niners came calling, though, Gore might be willing to return to the NFL a little earlier.

The running back turned boxer was disappointed that an NFL team didn't come calling before the start of this season. Gore believes he still has a lot left in the tank and can help a team win.

"Training camp started, and I didn't get a call," Gore told Showtime, per Bad Left Hook. "I'm being real, man. That was garbage. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. The most ripped I've ever been. Hopefully, San Francisco makes a run, and my boys tell me to make a run with them."

Gore has a lot of faith in this year's 49ers squad. They are in the playoff mix, currently sitting in the sixth-seed slot in the NFC playoff standings.

"They've got a good chance to go on a run," Gore recently told Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. "They're playing good ball. They've got a good chance, and they've got to stay together.

"Kyle does a great job getting the offensive guys open. The defensive front is pretty good. And my boy Deebo, he's the real deal. If they make a run to get in the playoffs, they'll be a scary team."

There is no doubt that fans would be ecstatic to see Gore suit up in red and gold and carrying the football with the 49ers again. The running back remains a fan favorite. He's also still the team's all-time rushing leader with 11,073 yards. Eventually, Gore will re-sign with San Francisco, even if it's just for one day.

"I'm going to be a Niner, you know, I've been there—that's who drafted me, gave me the opportunity to come into this league, to be a professional ball player, and I was there 10 years," Gore said in 2019. "That's my home, my second home. It would be right to go back—if I have to do a one-day [contract], sign that, and I'll be a Niner for life."

However, Niners, if you're going to call Gore, make sure it isn't this weekend. His focus is on his upcoming fight. After that? Who knows?

"I've been around [boxing] for so long. I love competing," Gore said. "I want to give it a shot. I'll see how this fight goes. If I want to do it again, I know I can. If I want to just do it one time and it's over after that, it'll be something I wanted to do, and I did."