Frank Gore still has a lot of love for the San Francisco 49ers. He's declared a never-ending desire to root for the organization that made him a third-round draft pick in 2005. Earlier this month, he signed a one-day contract with the team, officially retiring as a member of the red and gold.
Gore will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. However, he has his sights set on returning to the game he loves before then, not as a player but in the front office.
"I want to stay around football," Gore said this week on KNBR's Tolbert & Copes show. "I've been talking back and forth with Jed (York), so I'm going to see about John (Lynch), being able to help the front office, help the 49ers, a team that did great, to get better. But I do really want to stay around football because I do like it.
"I remember Trent (Baalke) and Scot McCloughan ... they used to bring me upstairs, watching film, watching tape of guys, and I enjoyed it. I do really want to do that, so me and Jed have been talking back and forth. So I'll see about that."
Gore remains the 49ers' all-time leading rusher, rushing for 11,073 yards through 10 seasons with San Francisco. His 16,000 career rushing yards rank third all-time in NFL history, with only Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) ranked above him.
Gore had a chance to build on his impressive resume, but the eagerness to return to the playing field diminished with time.
"When I went to the Rams [game], when [the 49ers] played the Rams, I didn't have no type of itch," Gore shared. "I thought I would when I was on the sidelines. I really don't. I really don't miss it yet.
"I had my opportunities to play last year. Three teams called. When I knew I was going back and forth, should I do it or not, that's when I knew I didn't really want to do it because I never went back and forth when I wanted to play the game of football. That was the first time that happened."
If an NFL front office like the 49ers' comes calling, Gore may return to the league. For now, he will enjoy retirement.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Gore below.
