Gore Joins Off-Season Program

Much like last season, this off-season started off a little rocky for 49ers running back Frank Gore. Going home to Miami when the season ended has always brought an ear to ear grin for Gore, but returning back to Florida this year is when it finally hit home that his beloved mother Liz, who had succumbed to a long and hard fought kidney disease prior to the 49ers week two game last year against St. Louis was truly gone.

“The season kept my mind busy last year, but it was really tough once I was staying back at the house and I’d sit there remembering so much stuff,” said Gore. “When she was sick, I’d lay in the bed with her and we’d just talk about everything. I just miss being with her and talking to her and seeing her be so happy just because I was home. So, that was really tough, but I just have to stay strong and try to get better at dealing with it.”

Gore has also been dealing with recovery from last year’s high ankle sprain, one that likely would have shelved most players, but the 2006 NFC leading rusher had already missed training camp and the preseason with a broken hand. He allowed himself to rest the ankle only one game in 2007, and then gutted it out and became only the fifth player in team history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons with 1,102 rushing yards.

“It was tough every week with people grabbing it,” said Gore. “After the games, the painkillers went away and I could barely walk, but it was a tough year for everybody. I love the game and my team, and I just wanted to keep fighting with them.”

Even after a month of rest, the ankle was still sore when he began his off-season training at Perfect Competition. Eventually the soreness wore off and Gore was able to benefit from working with other top NFL athletes including Anquan Boldin, Plaxico Burress and Fred Taylor. Click here to continue reading...