The NFL has announced its 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, and former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore is among the notable names. This marks Gore's first year of eligibility, positioning the legendary rusher one step closer to earning immortality in Canton.
Gore, who enjoyed a remarkable 16-year NFL career, ranks third all-time in rushing yards with 16,000—trailing only Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, he also secured a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Across his career, Gore totaled 81 rushing touchdowns, 19,985 scrimmage yards (fourth-most in NFL history), and 18 receiving touchdowns. He remains the San Francisco 49ers' all-time leading rusher, amassing 11,073 yards on the ground—well ahead of the next-closest player, Joe Perry, who sits second with 8,689 rushing yards.
After his legendary run with the 49ers, Gore also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets. He surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark nine times.
Below is the full list of modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 provided by NFL Media:
Willie Anderson, OT -- 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 -- 2021-26)
Drew Brees, QB -- 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Lomas Brown, OT -- 1985-1995 Detroit Lions, 1996-98 Arizona Cardinals, 1999 Cleveland Browns, 2000-01 New York Giants, 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Jahri Evans, G -- 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 -- 2023-26)
Larry Fitzgerald, WR -- 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Frank Gore, RB -- 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Rodney Harrison, S -- 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 -- 2021, 2023-26)
Torry Holt, WR -- 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 12 -- 2015-2026)
Luke Kuechly, LB -- 2012-19 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Eli Manning, QB -- 2004-2019 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Robert Mathis, DE/LB -- 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 -- 2022-26)
Philip Rivers, QB -- 2004-2019 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 2020 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Steve Smith Sr., WR -- 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 -- 2022-26)
Terrell Suggs, LB/DE -- 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Fred Taylor, RB -- 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 -- 2020-26)
Earl Thomas, DB -- 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Adam Vinatieri, PK -- 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Hines Ward, WR -- 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 -- 2017-2026)
Reggie Wayne, WR -- 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 -- 2020-26)
Richmond Webb, OT -- 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)
Vince Wilfork, DT -- 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 -- 2022-26)
Kevin Williams, DT -- 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Steve Wisniewski, G -- 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 -- 2014, 2025-26)
Jason Witten, TE -- 2003-2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 -- 2026)
Darren Woodson, S -- 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 -- 2015, 2017, 2019-2026)
Marshal Yanda, OL -- 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 -- 2025-26)