San Francisco 49ers legend Frank Gore is one step closer to pro football immortality. The NFL's third all-time leading rusher was named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the league announced Tuesday.
Gore joins a group of first-ballot contenders headlined by quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald—both widely expected to secure gold jackets. The 50-person selection committee will vote on this year's finalists next month, with results revealed February 5 at the NFL Honors ceremony ahead of Super Bowl LX.
This is Gore's first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. The 49ers made Gore a third-round draft pick out of Miami (FL) in 2005.
The former San Francisco running back produced one of the most durable and productive careers in the position's history. Across 16 NFL seasons, he rushed for 16,000 yards—trailing only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton—and earned five Pro Bowl selections while securing a place on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Gore finished his career with 81 rushing touchdowns, 19,985 scrimmage yards (fourth-most in NFL history), and 18 receiving touchdowns. He remains the 49ers' all-time leading rusher with 11,073 yards, a mark that places him well ahead of Hall of Famer Joe Perry (8,689).
After his run with the 49ers, Gore played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets. He topped 1,000 rushing yards nine times, proving himself to be one of the most consistent backs in NFL history.
Below is the complete list of the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 provided by NFL Media:
- Willie Anderson, Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Drew Brees, Quarterback – 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
- Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver – 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
- Frank Gore, Running Back – 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker – 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback – 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End – 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle –2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
- Jason Witten, Tight End – 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
- Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle – 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens