Is Frank Gore a Hall of Famer?

Frank Gore has been the face of the San Francisco 49ers, a pillar of stability in the ever-changing world of professional football. He’s the most prolific running back in storied history of the 49ers’ franchise, leading all ball-carriers in rushing yards by a wide margin, and is second in touchdowns to Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry. But is Gore worthy of a spot next to Perry in Canton, Ohio?

Since being drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2005 draft from the University of Miami, Gore has been the picture of consistency. In 10 years since, he’s racked up 11,073 yards and 64 touchdowns on 2,442 carries. His yardage total places him 20th in NFL history, ahead of Hall of Famers like Perry, and Earl Campbell. If Gore can pile up another 1,000 yards in the coming season, he can jump into the top-15 all-time.

His touchdown total, considering his time in the league, is low. He’s averaged just 6.4 touchdowns per season, and has accrued only one season of double-digit scores. He’s tied for 42nd all-time, and is just sixth among active players. If he can find the endzone six times next season, he can leap all the way into the top-30.

Consider how Gore has stood up in the “new NFL,” the pass-happy league where running backs have three or four good years, and are done by the time they hit 30 years old. Gore has actually gotten stronger as he’s aged. In his first six years, he missed 12 games due to injuries. In his last four seasons, from the ages of 28 to 31, Gore hasn’t missed a single game.

In 2014, Gore became the first 31-year-old back to top 1,000 yards since 2009, when Ricky Williams and Thomas Jones both accomplished the feat. Considering there were times when offensive coordinator Greg Roman flat-out refused to run the ball, that milestone is impressive. Gore showed how good he can be when the team gives him the rock in the final two games of the year. Late in the season, a 31-year-old back showed be tired and aching from the beating he took over the course of the season. Not Gore, as he carried the ball 51 times for 302 yards, a 5.9 yards per carry average.

Also in 2014, Gore totaled 255 carries, and averaged 4.3 yards per. That was his ninth consecutive year over 200 carries while averaging at least four yards. He joined elite company, as Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, two of the all-time greatest running backs in history, are the only other players to do so. Brown did it all nine of his seasons, while Sanders did it in all 10 of his.

Compare Gore to the three running backs who were 2015 Hall of Fame semi-finalists, that didn’t make the final cut. Terrell Davis, Roger Craig, and Edgerrin James were all in the final 15 this year, but weren’t immortalized in Canton, like Jerome Bettis was.

Oct 27, 2013; London, UNITED KINGDOM; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit:

Bob Martin

-USA TODAY Sports

Davis played in only seven NFL seasons, but he started out like a Hall of Famer. In his first four years with the Denver Broncos, Davis carried the ball 1,343 times, racking up an astronomical 6,413 yards and 56 touchdowns. He topped that off in 1998, his fourth year, with 2,008 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning league MVP honors and becoming the fourth member of the 2,000-yard club. He looked like a surefire Hall of Famer, and would certainly go down as one of the best to ever carry a ball.

It didn’t end like that. Davis suffered injury after injury, going through surgery after surgery. In the three years after his 2,000-yard campaign, Davis carried the ball only 312 times, totaling 1,194 yards and scoring four touchdowns in 17 games before hanging up his cleats for good. Does he deserve credit for starting his career in all-time great fashion? Absolutely. Is he a Hall of Famer for that? No.

Craig, another 49ers’ great, played 11 seasons in the league, carrying the ball 1,991 times for 8,189 yards and 56 touchdowns. He was also a great receiver, as he caught 566 passes for 4,911 yards and 17 touchdowns. In 1985, his third year with San Francisco, he became the first player ever to gain 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air, rushing for 1,050 yards, and receiving for 1,016. He was an All-Pro and NFC Player of the Year in 1988, and was part of all three of San Francisco’s Super Bowl victories.

Craig was a very good all-around player, but was never a great player. He ran for 1,000 yards just three times, and never rushed for double-digit touchdowns. He was the most dangerous dual threat in football, but does that make him a Hall of Famer? It’s very close, but his time may come soon.

James was the best of the three semi-finalists who were left out. In 11 years in the game, he carried the ball 3,028 times for 12,246 yards, and scored 80 touchdowns. He took a backseat to Peyton Manning for most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, as he never got the whole spotlight, but still posted tremendous numbers. In seven seasons with a horseshoe on his helmet, he posted four 1,500-yard seasons, including leading the league in yards his first two seasons as a pro.

Does James deserve to have his dreadlocks plastered in bronze? Not a doubt in my mind, and he probably will within the next few years.