NFL legend, 49ers star RB Frank Gore talks collecting, All-Pro career ahead of Super Bowl LX

San Francisco and the surrounding area rarely experience a hurricane. Weather like that, among other characterizations, would be quite inconvenient.

Yet for 10 straight years beginning in 2005 the Bay Area had several in the form of 49ers running back Frank “The Inconvenient Truth” Gore Sr., a former University of Miami Hurricane. Fans of the 49ers embraced that weather pattern as Gore battered defenses on a regular basis, making five Pro Bowl teams in that span and helping the 49ers reach Super Bowl XLVII.

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Running back Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Getty Images

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Gore played for 16 NFL seasons, also spending time with the Colts, Dolphins, Bills and Jets. Along the way the third-round draft pick piled up exactly 16,000 yards rushing, third most in league history, while playing in 241 games at running back, the highest number in the league’s storied record books.

A couple other tidbits about the sturdy 5-9, 212-pound ball carrier: he holds the NFL record for seasons rushing for at least 500 yards (15), and if he would have gained just one additional yard in his second-to-last season (2019), his lone year with the Bills, Gore would have gained a minimum of 600 yards in all of his 16 NFL campaigns.

Gore, the team’s all-time leading rusher, has been a personnel advisor for the 49ers since 2023.

So, with the 2026 Super Bowl coming to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the 49ers, it would be quite “convenient” in certain ways if the announcement of the Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees included Gore, in his first year of eligibility. Whether or not it comes in 2026, Gore’s bronze bust will one day rest among the greats in Canton.

At the summer 2025 Chantilly (Va.) sports memorabilia show, SCD contributor Doug Koztoski huddled with Gore to talk about the hobby and his time on the gridiron.

Did you collect cards as a kid?

“I did not collect cards as a kid, but I always said I wanted to be on a card when I grow up, college cards and NFL cards.”

Of your cards, which two or three are your favorites?

“My Pro Bowl card, the first year I made the Pro Bowl (2006 with cards highlighting the feat in 2007) because it said ‘Pro Bowl,’ also my first year starting in the NFL. I had a great year that year, just knowing that the Pro Bowl was my first All-Star Game. (In 2006 Gore started all 16 games for the 49ers and gained 1,695 yards, the pinnacle of his career).

Do you collect anything else from our career?

“I try to get my Pro Bowl jerseys, all my All-Star jerseys.”

How about your helmets and other jerseys?

“Only my All-Star jerseys.”

At today’s Chantilly show what is the most unusual item you signed?

“Today was chill, real chill. But at another show I signed a tattoo of me a guy had on his arm. And then he came back another time and showed me he had another tattoo of me and had me sign it.”

When you come to a sports memorabilia show, what do you enjoy the most?

“Just seeing the fans, man, especially me being retired from playing five years, they still love me. And also, to see the guys I competed with.”

What defensive player or defensive team did you find the most difficult to go up against?

“I thought Bobby Wagner (LB currently with the Washington Commanders but with the Seattle Seahawks during Gore’s era) was a real good player, he was a tough guy. There were a lot of great ones out there—but he was in my division, so I had to see him twice a year, maybe three times in one season if we went to the playoffs.”

I know it might be a little early to ask since the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees have not been announced as we speak, and it is your first year of eligibility, but as the third leading rusher in NFL history (behind Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726), are you in the process of writing your Hall of Fame induction speech?

“(He laughs) Hopefully they will come to my house and let me know I’ve been voted into the Hall of Fame and when they let me know, I will start writing that speech.”

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Frank Gore becomes the 31st inductee into the 49ers Hall of Fame during halftime of the game between the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 09, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Anything else about the sports memorabilia hobby you like a great deal and want to mention?

“I brought my (youngest) son here today and I am getting him ready (to collect) for when he gets older. He is learning what it takes to collect. He wanted an autograph today and I told him he needs to keep ballin’ and doing good in school, and one day he will be here on his own.”

(To Gore’s son) And who do you like to collect?

“My daddy and Travis Hunter (2024 Heisman Trophy winner and now a rookie cornerback and wide receiver with the Jacksonville Jaguars).”

“But we didn’t see any Travis Hunter cards here today,” Frank added.

Sometimes the truth is inconvenient, depending on whom you collect.

FRANK GORE 2.0

Frank Gore Sr. has a few sons. Frank Jr. played running back at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning three All-Sun Belt team selections. In the 2022 LendingTree Bowl against Rice, Gore Jr. scampered for 329 yards and three touchdowns—one as a quarterback.

In 2024 Gore Jr. signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills, where he has been part of their practice squad for two seasons.