The Inconvenient Truth is one step closer to becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Frank Gore has become a finalist in his first year of eligibility.
Videos by FanBuzz
The former NFL running back is one of four players who became finalists in their first year of eligibility. The other three are former tight end Jason Witten, former wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and former quarterback Drew Brees.
Here are the Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists, as announced on @gmfb pic.twitter.com/jtFhePTN1m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2025
Gore made a major impact on the league after landing with the San Francisco 49ers as a third-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. He rushed for 16,000 yards, which is the third-most in NFL history. He added 81 rushing touchdowns and 18 receiving touchdowns while locking up five trips to the Pro Bowl.
Numbers aside, Gore drew praise as a Hall of Fame candidate based on how he continued producing well past his expected retirement date. While numerous NFL running backs retired in their early 30s, Gore continued suiting up and producing.
He played through his age 37 season (2020) while suiting up for the 49ers, Colts, Dolphins, Bills, and Jets and rushing for more than 1,000 yards nine times. He even rushed for 653 yards in what was his final NFL campaign.
Frank Gore was so good 😤pic.twitter.com/kM99UtcZ87 https://t.co/yWky76JA56
— Touchdown Central (@TouchdownHQ) October 30, 2025
The 15 finalists also include several returning players: Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs, Darren Woodson, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri. Former defensive end Kevin Williams is a finalist for the first time in what is his sixth year of Hall of Fame eligibility.
The list of Hall of Fame candidates also includes seniors candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood. Bill Belichick is eligible as a coaching candidate while Patriots owner Robert Kraft is eligible as a contributor.
The 50-person selection committee will vote on this group of finalists next month. They will whittle down the list to between three and five candidates. They will also select between one and three candidates from the list featuring the coaching candidate, contributor, and seniors.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be announced during the annual NFL Honors awards show on Feb. 3.
