Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 greatest running backs in franchise history

By Robert Smith

Nov 17, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Frank Gore

Frank The Tank.

He was the bell cow for the 49ers offense for the vast majority of the 10 years he played for the team (2005-2014).

Few thought Gore could have such sustained success, especially after suffering an ACL tear in 2002 during spring practice at the University of Miami. He spent the next season rehabbing, and returned the following year and had 100 yards rushing in each of the first five games.

After posting 1,975 yards with a 5.7 yards-per-carry average at the U, the 49ers made him a third-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.

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Gore proceeded to rush for 1,000-plus yards in nine consecutive seasons and earn five Pro Bowl honors. Along with Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, Gore carried the ball 200 or more times in nine straight seasons. They are the only three ever to accomplish that feat, and it beckons to Gore’s durability and skill set.

While he achieved incredible personal success, the team struggled to a 37-59 record until the arrival of Jim Harbaugh as head coach in 2011.

With Harbaugh as coach, the Niners went from 6-10 in 2010, to 13-3 in 2011 and an NFC Championship Game appearance against the New York Giants. Had it not been for a Kyle Williams’ fumble in overtime, the 49ers would have played the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

2012 saw the team go 11-4-1, with Gore rushing for 1,214 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the way.

This time, the team advanced to the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. Gore once showed up big, rushing 19 times for 119 yards and a score. Unfortunately, the 49ers fell to the Ravens in one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever played.

After another playoff run in 2013, the 49ers lost to the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, the last playoff appearance for Gore in a Niner uniform. In 2014, Gore became the 20th player in NFL history to amass 11,000 yards rushing.

Currently, Gore sits eighth in the NFL in all-time rushing yards with 13,065 to go along with 90 total touchdowns.

For the 49ers, Gore sits atop their list as the leading rusher in team history, and also holds the team record for total yards with 13,956 yards and 75 touchdowns.

Next: 10 Best Rookie seasons in franchise history

Not bad for a guy most said could not stay healthy.

For 49er fans, Gore most assuredly will hold a place in their hearts as a an all-time great back, a great teammate, and a true professional.