Buffalo Bills running back Frank Gore is a 15-year vet. But he didn’t exactly write off his career just yet.
Gore, 36, is third-overall on the all-time rushing list, sitting at 15,347 yards.
Before even really surpassing Barry Sanders for that mark this season, he started to slow down and become less effective for the Bills. He still believes there could be enough left in the tank, though.
“I don’t know. I’m going to take some time off. My body still feels good and I felt like I showed people I can still play this game when I got opportunities. I’m going to take some time and think about it, Gore told reporters at locker cleanout day on Sunday. “My son is going to be going to college. So, I’ll sit down with him and go from there. I’m not in no rush to make a decision. I know I still can play this game. But I’m going to get away from it, enjoy the family, and I’ll see.”
Gore also discussed the tough pains from the day prior, when the Bills lost to the Texans.
“It’s tough. We battled. We started off real fast and didn’t finished.
“This team, the young talent, it’s great. (Brandon) Beane, coach (Sean) McDermott, they did a great job, man. This team got a lot of young talent. I think they put themselves in a position to be the top-dog in this division for a couple of years,” Gore said.
In 16 games for the Bills this season, Gore had some career-lows. His 599 rushing yards and 3.6 yards per carry were among them. However, he did get into the end zone twice and while some thought his eight carries in the team’s playoff game were perhaps too many, McDermott often describe Gore as an excellent mentor, something the the coach has often wanted in his locker room during his tenure in Buffalo.
“I would say I don’t think I’ve been around a guy that’s pound-for-pound as tough as Frank Gore, a professional like Frank Gore and his habits day in and day out. And then, just as big was his example to Devin (Singletary), on and off the field. So, that’s some of what we’re talking about with veteran leaders, trying to get a veteran leader in every room, that Brandon and I are trying establish that. Frank was a great example of that to Devin,” McDermott said.
In terms of Gore’s workload on the field, McDermott didn’t comment. But at one point in his season-ending press conference, McDermott did describe the NFL as a “two back league.” Whether Gore is there or not, it doesn’t sound like things will just be Singeltary’s show in 2020.
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