Miami football legend Frank Gore waiting to be signed celebrating 38th birthday

Miami football legend Frank Gore is still an NFL free agent as he celebrates his 38th birthday on Friday. Gore played for four teams in the last four seasons after spending the first 10 years of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. Gore was signed by the Indianapolis Colts and played in Nap Town from 2015-2017.

Following his time with Indianapolis, Gore returned home to play for the Dolphins in 2018, the Buffalo Bills in 2019 and the New York Jets last season. Gore currently ranks third in NFL history with 16,000 career rushing yards. Walter Payton is next on the list with 16,727 career rushing yards.

Gore led the Jets with 187 carries for 653 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2020. Those are NFL records for a 37-year-old. No 38-year-old halfback has ever had a carry in NFL history according to CBS Sports.  Former NFL fullbacks Fred McAfee, Lorenzo Neal and Tony Richardson had carries at the age of 38.

Neither McAfee, Neal, or Richardson had more than five carries at the age of 38. Per CBS Richardson had five carries for 13 yards in 2010 as a 38-year old, turning 39 that season. Richardson was the oldest RB to have a carry since 1950. The most rushing yards by a 38-year-old was quarterback Doug Flutie in 2000.

Frank Gore Honors

• Five-time Pro Bowler (2006, 2009, 2011–2013)
• 2006 Second-team All-Pro
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• 2006 NFC rushing leader

NFL records

• Most games played by a running back (241)
• First player in NFL history with 12 consecutive 1,200-yards seasons from scrimmage

Flutie had 36 carries for 161 yards with one TD in 11 games with five starts for the Buffalo Bills in 2000. A year later, Flutie had 53 carries for 192 yards and a TD for the San Diego Chargers. Flutie added 33 carries for 168 yards and two TDs for the Lightning Bolts in 2003. Flutie was a S.D. QB with Drew Brees from 2001-2004.

Gore was a senior in high school as Flutie was setting the standards for 38-year olds carrying the football in the NFL. Beginning his legendary career as a freshman in college on the 2001 National Championship Miami football team, Gore had 62 carries for 562 yards and an astounding 9.1 YPC with five TDs.

Gore overcame two ACL surgeries in college to finish his Miami career seventh with 1,975 rushing yards and ninth with 17 rushing TDs. Gore is currently 13th in both categories. The numbers Gore has accomplished during his NFL career make him a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame even if he has played his last down.