Truth & Rumors > NFL

49ers' Gore overcomes disability

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Mike Martz said running back Frank Gore was quick on the playing field and even quicker in the classroom this spring. "He's a one-time guy. You tell him once, and he has it," the 49ers' offensive coordinator said of Gore, who is entering his fourth season. "That's really a remarkable quality. He really learns fast. He's a very sharp guy. So that means you can use him in a variety of ways." The statement is telling. Gore suffers from dyslexia, and entering the 2005 draft, many teams wondered whether he would be able to absorb an NFL playbook. Upon joining the 49ers, Martz said he would build his offense around Gore the way he once built the St. Louis Rams' offenses around Marshall Faulk. Gore, however, won't be a Faulk clone. Gore arguably has more support in the San Francisco backfield than Faulk had in St. Louis.

Sacramento Bee

Frank Gore, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Frank Gore, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
June 29, 2008  09:45 AM ET

If he can help the rest of his team still suffering with being a 49er too, they might just make the playoffs..

June 29, 2008  10:33 AM ET

If Gore stays healthy, the 49ers could be decent.

June 29, 2008  11:50 AM ET

Jay Leno is also dyslexic. Just thought I'd name someone else who has overcome this learning disability.

June 29, 2008  12:39 PM ET

Hopefully he will get his carries and they don't, do all that passing. Gore is a remarkable talent and they need to give him the ball.

June 29, 2008  04:52 PM ET

I wonder if he ever thought that he played for the 94ers

Interestingly enough the last time the 49ers won a Super Bowl was 1994 <_<

June 29, 2008  05:34 PM ET

Suffer from grammar dyslexia, for 800 years I have.

June 29, 2008  05:54 PM ET

Mike Martz is an offensive genius and has a huge playbook of plays. This really is pretty amazing that Gore would be able to pick up a lot of these plays within one attempt. As for the Faulk allusion this is a bad example. Gore is no Marshall Faulk. Gore fumbles too much and is not as good catching out of the backfield. I would look for both of these things to improve but this is a bad example right now.

June 29, 2008  07:01 PM ET

hard to overcome the disability called Alex Nicole Smith at QB.

June 29, 2008  09:12 PM ET

I'm sick of people acting a functioning dyslexic is the same as a paraplegic walking. Is this what we as a culture consider an inspirational story? Good grief.

June 30, 2008  09:19 AM ET

Anyone ever remember that episode of the Cosby Show...when Theo finds out he had dyslexia...man...those were the days......I really miss those shows.......anyway......Im glad they clarified this article by first highlighting it was the "49'rs" Gore.

Otherwise......I would have assumed they meant Al Gore...

June 30, 2008  03:52 PM ET

I'm not sure if anyone is comparing dyslexia to being paraplegic nor are they making him out to be any better than he is. All this story is doing is recognizing someone for overcoming a setback in their life. I would rather read stories like this all day long than pull up si.com only to find another athelete taking steroids, getting in a bar fight, beating thier wives, or shooting another person. Take the story for what it is.

June 30, 2008  08:29 PM ET

As a Niners fan, ANYTHING POSITIVE coming out of SF is a blessing.

July 1, 2008  09:10 AM ET

The offense should open things up for Alex Smith- He was playing good until he got injured against the Steelers last year

July 1, 2008  09:10 AM ET

And he did not even have any WR last year

July 2, 2008  01:10 AM ET

Dear 49'ers fans:

Have fun with Mike Martz. Every team in the league will know you are passing for most every down. Your beloved Frank Gore will be forgotten. Your team will be filled with slot recievers with not a fullback to be found.

Good Riddance@!

http://www.detroitslions.com

 
July 3, 2008  12:49 PM ET

I watched Gore run for Miami in college and saw him fall with that devastating knee injury. Gore was always a straight up player with never a bad thing to say. Seeing him have success in the pros has been a treat; even it's for a team I don't see much.

But hearing this makes like him even more. His attacking his problem is a great story, one that the NFL should promote if Gore will let them. The NFL needs more positive ink, and this is definately a feel good story.

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