49ers: 5 Worst Free-Agent Losses in Franchise History

Frank Gore

Frank Gore was drafted with pick number 65 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005.

He was fresh off of two torn ACL’s, but the organization took a chance on him. It was his surprising speed and burst from the line of scrimmage that made him a very intriguing prospect. After intense training during the off season, and ample time to heal, the gamble paid off as Frank Gore went on to become the franchises all-time leading rusher by a clear margin.

He was also the loan bright spot for many years on a roster that would share consecutive losing seasons. Gore was a sound building block during a rebuild that would build an eventual Super Bowl contender. He was everything you’d want in a running back and a play maker.

However, when he turned 31 the franchise let him test free agency, and turned over full-time responsibilities to Carlos Hyde. The message was clear, Frank Gore’s best days were behind him and the team was seeking out a younger workhorse.

Two years later, Gore is still running strong, durable as ever. In fact, last year he became the oldest running back since John Riggins to rush for a thousand yards in a season.

Too the faithful, he was one of the elite. He was a true humanitarian and a football player who should have played his career in San Francisco from start to finish. His exit from the team was heartbreaking, but his ability to soldier on was inspiring.

No matter what team he retires with, he will always be a product of the red and gold.

Next: Bill Romanowski