Frank Gore – April 17, 2018
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Tuesday, April 17, 2018
RB Frank Gore
(Talk about how happy you are to be here finally.) – “When you get the opportunity … I played at (the University of) Miami, grew up in Miami and I was away for 13 years. Now that I get the opportunity to play back here, it’s very big. For one, my kids get to see me every day. I get to see my oldest son’s high school (football) games. This will probably be my first time really getting to see him play since I’ve been in the NFL, so that’s a plus. Just to be back playing in front of my fans where I grew up is very big and I’m happy for it.”
(What kind of role did Head Coach Adam Gase discuss with you that you have coming in here?) – “They want me to come out there and be me. They want me to come out there and be the football player I’ve always been. I’ve known Adam since 2007 or 2008. He knows I love the game and how much passion I have for the game. Like I told him before I signed, if I felt like I couldn’t play, I won’t play. I know I still can play and I’m going to try to do whatever it takes to help this team win.”
(Being a Miami guy, was it ever or always in the back of your mind that someday you might be wearing Dolphins colors?) – “When I came out, when I had to do the workout for the team, I thought they were going to take me in the second or third round. When they took Ronnie (Brown), I said that was out the door. They worked the hell out of me, so I said I might have a chance to get drafted here; but it didn’t happen. It’s all good. I feel like I’ve had a pretty good career so far. I’m still playing and I’m blessed, and I’m happy I’m here.”
(Will it really hit you when you get in a game?) – “Yes. I think once we get into training camp and I’m here every day and competing with my teammates and probably the preseason, once that comes around, it will probably hit me then.”
(Can you talk about your longevity and how you’ve been able to be so productive in your career and that it’s a point of pride for you?) – “First of all, I’d have to say it has to be the man up above. Without him, I don’t think I could do it at all. The way I train in the offseason and I think the way I love the game – you have to love the game to keep playing this long – I think that’s what it is.”
(What’s your oldest son’s name and where does he go to high school?) – “He went to Coral Gables last year and now he’s going to Killian. He’s junior – Frank Gore Jr.”
(What does he play?) – “Running back. Slot.”
(How much longer do you think you want to play or can play?) – “I don’t know. I just take it one day at a time, one year at a time. If I feel like I can play and I’m still enjoying it and they still want me and I feel like I can at a high level, then I’ll play. If I feel like my body can’t take it and I feel like I’m not playing at a high level and I can’t be myself, I’ll walk away.”
(In regards to the rushing record, you’re 75 yards from being No. 4 all-time. How much does being on that list, how important is it to you?) – “I would say that I don’t think about it; but when people ask me, it’s a blessing. Thinking about where I came from, coming out of college with two ACL (injuries) and all of the doubters saying that I won’t be able to play two or three years, and getting picked in the third round was a reach. I’m still going. I will say it’s a blessing.”
(What keeps you going outside of the love of football?) – “I’ve been doing this my whole life. In Miami, football is big for us. That’s one way out of our community that we feel we can get out of our neighborhood. I’ve been blessed to do it. I feel like I’m still playing at a high level and I’m still having fun, so why not do it?”
(When you were released, did you consider other teams or did you focus in on you wanting to be here?) – “I didn’t get released. My contract was up. Before I got out of the NFL, I always wanted to play here. It’s a business; but also, when I got the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl and we were successful in San Francisco, I always wanted the opportunity to get back and chase that trophy. Hopefully as a team here, we get it together and play for each other and try to change that to get back to the playoffs here. When I got here, the locker room has been pretty cool. (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase is a good coach and a good dude. We’ve just got to keep taking it one day at a time and believe in our locker room and coaches, and see where we can take it.”
(A lot of what has been done with the roster makeover this year has been about bringing in leaders, bringing in guys that are going to be at the head of the roster and showing guys what to do. Do you embrace that? Do you see yourself as one of those men?) – “I’m not a talker; but I will show in practice the way that I work and the way I love the game and the reason I’m still playing at a high level. So when training camp comes, all of my guys in my running back room will see how much and how hard I go every day. Once I start making plays here and playing good ball, then I’ll feel like I have the right to talk in the locker room. Right now, I’m a new face. I have to prove myself to the coaching staff and also my teammates. Right now I’m just standing in the back, doing what I have to do every day, working hard and getting ready for training camp and for the season.”
(What are some observations that you’ve picked up over the years about what separates the teams that win and the teams that lose?) – “I would say … In San Francisco, we were like brothers. The offense, defense we stuck together – on the field and off the field. After the game we met up at each other’s houses and hung out. In San Francisco, I didn’t want to let Justin Smith down, so I played every play like it was my last. I didn’t want to Patrick Willis down. In San Francisco, I’d say the reason was because when we all got drafted, it took us five or six years to be a top-dog team. We grew that bond. Once we got a chance to taste how to win, we never wanted to go back, so every day we competed. I remember me and Patrick – he’s a Pro Bowler and I’m a Pro Bowler – but we used to be about to fight because I didn’t want to lose against him and he didn’t want to lose against me. Basically it was the same thing of how we were at the University of Miami. I think once you get that and want to compete and you get the opportunity to start winning, you never want to go back.”
(No one goes into the league saying I’m going to be a Top 5 rusher of all time. Has real life exceeded your dreams?) – “I’d say I’ve been blessed; but I don’t think about it. I was talking to my cousin and he’s older than me and he was calling out all of the running backs who he used to look up to when he was a kid in the streets. He’s like ‘You’re my little cousin and you’re at No. 4.’ I told him I don’t think about it because I guess I’m still playing. I think when I’m done and I look back, it’ll probably hit me then. I’ve been blessed and I’m happy. I’m going to show this organization that they picked the right guy by bringing me in this year.”
(Do you think about that bust in Canton one day?) – “No, I don’t. When the time comes and it happens, it happens. I don’t (think about it).”
(Playing in Miami now for the hometown team, how much pride is there to do something in your hometown because you’ve been away for so long?) – “It’s big. Like I said, some guys go to different teams and feel like when they get older, they just want to ride the coattails of other guys. I don’t want to do that. I respect every man on this team. I’m here to still play and help the young guys; but I want to show my fans in Miami that I can still be a top guy in this league.”
(Have you met RB Kenyan Drake yet? What are you impressions of him and how do you see the two of you working together in the backfield?) – “Yes, I met him. I think he’s a great young man. He’s got a lot of tools. I remember when they played Denver the week before they played us, I was watching tape. He kind of caught my eye. He’s got a lot of talent. I think me and him in the backfield, I think it can help this team with a different style, and it should be good.”
(A lot of players have certain diets, certain exercises. I’m wondering why you’ve been able to last so long at such a physical position and be effective.) – “I’m smart. (laughter) I love it and I’ve been blessed. The way I train in the offseason – training with Lamarr Miller, training with Gio (Bernard) – training with a lot of these young guys just to keep myself honest and if I can still hang with those guys. I feel like if I can’t, I don’t need to be here.”
