The Jets added some veteran depth at running back on Tuesday, signing 36-year-old Frank Gore.
Despite his age, Gore has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years. He ran for nearly 600 yards and two touchdowns as a backup with the Bills last season — a role he will reprise behind Le’Veon Bell in New York. The move also reunites Gore with Adam Gase, as the two worked together with the Dolphins in 2018.
Let’s get to know New York’s newest tailback with some interesting tidbits.
Overcoming the Odds
From the time he was old enough to put on the pads, Frank Gore knew he wanted to play college football. He just wasn’t sure it was a realistic possibility until late in his high school career.
Gore suffered from severe dyslexia, which relegated him to special education classes and placed him on track to earn nothing more than a special education high school diploma. Joe Montoya, Gore’s high school coach, arranged for him to be transferred to a regular curriculum and to receive regular tutoring. Gore put in the necessary work in the classroom to earn his high school diploma and a qualifying SAT score, allowing him to attend the University of Miami.
At Miami, Gore tore his ACL not once, but twice. Despite suffering two serious knee injuries in consecutive years, Gore went on to become a third-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. The rest is history.
Never Back Down
When Gore arrived at Miami in 2001, he did not walk into a running back room short on talent. In fact, he found himself at the bottom of one of the most stacked depth charts in college football history.
Miami featured a three-headed monster out of the backfield consisting of Najeh Davenport, Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis — all three of which went on to become stars in the NFL. Instead of accepting his spot on the totem pole and waiting his turn, Gore worked hard to earn a role in Miami’s ground attack that netted him just over 500 rushing yards as a freshman.
After the trio departed, Gore took over as Miami’s starting running back on a full-time basis. He took advantage of the spotlight that comes with being the featured back at one of college football’s best programs, playing his way onto NFL draft boards.
Willing Mentor
Throughout his professional career, Gore has never been one to shy away from sharing his experience with the younger players on his team.
When working out at the University of Miami, Gore usually partnered up with Lamar Miller when he entered the league with the Texans. Gore also pushed fellow Miami alum and Colts teammate Phillip Dorsett and other young players when he was with Indianapolis.
“It’s how he’s lasted this long,” Dorsett said. “He always tests me. We compete at everything. He calls out the young guys [in practice].”
Gore will once again have the chance to mentor younger players with the Jets — especially rookie running back La’Mical Perine.
Model of Consistency
There’s something to be said about how consistent Gore has been throughout his career.
In 15 NFL seasons, Gore is averaging 1,023 rushing yards per year. He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau nine times, including two separate four-year 1,000 rushing yard streaks from 2006-09 and 2011-14.
Gore’s days as a bell-cow back are over. With that being said, his tough running style and consistency make him an ideal backup to Le’Veon Bell.
AFC East Veteran
Now that he is a member of the Jets, Frank Gore has been with every AFC East team except the Patriots.
After three years with the Colts, Gore signed with the Dolphins in 2018. In his lone season playing for Adam Gase in Miami, Gore rushed for 722 yards. In 2019, Gore signed with the Bills, rushing for 599 yards and two scores on the year.
Make no mistake about it. Gore knows what it takes to compete and win in the AFC East. The Jets are hoping that experience will prove to be valuable this upcoming season.
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