Just because it feels like the heat death of the universe will occur before former 49ers running back Frank Gore retires doesn't mean that it will.
Gore is 37 (not 307), and he's set to play in his 17th (not 71st) NFL season this year after signing with the New York Jets earlier in the offseason. Yes, Gore has played longer than some 49ers Faithful have been alive, but he's not that old in the grand scheme of things.
The veteran running back admitted as much in a Tweet on Wednesday, when he couldn't help but laugh (at least in emoji form) at an account suggesting he signed with the 49ers on this day in 1934.
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Ignore that the running back pictured is Jim Brown from his days at Syracuse and that the 49ers didn't exist until 1946, that's a damn good roast.
You can't blame Gore for feeling young, considering how hard he still trains or that Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen is the only player in NFL history with more seasons of 500-plus rushing yards after turning 35 than Gore. Few others at his position have had Gore's longevity, let alone his sustained excellence. Gore's nine seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards are the fifth-most in NFL history, and every single person ahead of him is in the Hall of Fame.
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He probably won't get a 10th in 2020, but Gore doesn't necessarily think this season will be his last, either. Gore averaged 4.6 yards per carry the last time he played in current Jets coach Adam Gase's offense, and I won't be the one putting it past Gore to turn back the clock some more.
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What could possibly make Gore feel old? His Jets are scheduled to play the 49ers in Week 2, and longtime teammate Joe Staley won't be on the opposing sideline after retiring in April.
Staley was drafted two years after Gore. If retiring after Staley (assuming that ever happens) doesn't make Gore feel old, I'm not sure anything will.