San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (21) runs for yardage against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CLARA – Of all the former 49ers’ running backs who returned Sunday to Levi’s Stadium, the best and most productive in franchise history made his first appearance since leaving: Frank Gore.
“I love this place,” Gore said while standing in the south end zone, an hour before kickoff against the Miami Dolphins. “But I don’t miss playing.”
Gore, 39, dominated for the 49ers from 2005-14, then left as a free agent to eventually amass the third-most rushing yards in NFL history with 16,000 yards, finishing his career with stops at Indianapolis (2015-17), Miami (2018), Buffalo (2019) and the New York Jets (2020).
Less than 24 hours after winning a professional boxing match by technical knockout in the first round in San Antonio, Gore emerged from Levi’s Stadium’s locker-room tunnel and drew roars from the growing crowd.
“It’s my first time back here since I was running around on this,” Gore said of Levi’s Stadium.
Gore played against the 49ers twice since leaving them: in a 2017 Colts win (48 rushing yards), and a 2020 Jets loss (63 rushing yards).
He attended the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game loss last season against the host Los Angeles Rams. Added Gore: “I just wanted to come out and come to this game right here.”
Gore did not attend the 49ers’ 10th anniversary celebration of their 2012 team that was held on alumni weekend, when the 49ers fell to the Chiefs on Oct. 23. Two months earlier, Gore was charged with simple assault in an alleged domestic violence incident in July at an Atlantic City, N.J. hotel.
No 49ers player has worn Gore’s No. 21 since he left the franchise.
At Gore’s side was his long-time fullback, Moran Norris, and among those Gore took pictures with on the field were Jerry Rice, the 49ers’ all-time leading receiver.
Gore was not the only ex-49ers running back on the field: Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. made their returns with the Dolphins.
Nor was Gore the only Bay Area sports celebrity present: Giants manager Gabe Kapler and Warriors owner Joe Lacob showed up, and Kapler did so wearing a Christian McCaffrey jersey.
Also on hand was the family of former 49ers public relations ace Jason Jenkins, who was the Dolphins’ executive vice president of communications when he unexpectedly passed away in August at age 47. The 49ers flew out Jenkins’ wife, Liz, their three kids and his parents to watch the game from a suite.
Originally published at Cam Inman