Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 5 best running backs of all time

By Douglas Totten

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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)
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) /

No. 1: Frank Gore

“The Inconvenient Truth,” as Deion Sanders dubbed the former 49ers running back, truly lived up to his nickname.

Frank Gore was the master at finding holes where there were none and breaking runs wide open when it seemed as if he would be tackled for a loss. Countless times in his 10 years with the 49ers he managed to make his way onto highlight reels — not for his breakaway speed (admittedly, he often was caught after 40 yards or so), and not of his incredible athletic ability (he was not known for hurdles), but for the ingenious way he was able to take power run plays up the gut and end up 20 yards downfield.

Gore earns even more credit for carrying the 49ers on his back in the midst of the worst win drought in recent memory. Drafted in the third round in 2005, Gore led the team in yards (608) even after missing the first two games with a groin injury. Gore became a starter in 2006 and never looked back, as he had the best rushing season in his career, setting a team-record for rushing yards with 1,695 and for all-purpose yards with 2,180, while becoming the first 49er to lead the NFC in rushing yards.

Gore proceeded to run for over 1,000 yards in each of his following eight seasons except for 2010, when he suffered a fractured right hip, and d a very impressive eight such seasons in his 10-year career with the Niners.

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Gore will be missed in San Francisco in 2015 and beyond, but he will always have a place among the 49ers legends as the best running back of all time.