Football fans could be forgiven for feeling caught in a cycle of deja vu during the Week 6 "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Bills and Jets.
Four years after Frank Gore's retirement, another man possessing his name and likeness appears to have taken shape. This one marshals Buffalo's backfield, having been promoted to the 53-man roster after injuries scarred Sean McDermott's squad's RB room.
Is it a mirage, or merely a reminder of the "Inconvenient Truth" that Father Time remains undefeated? The reality lies somewhere in between.
With that, here's what you need to know about Frank Gore Jr. and Frank Gore's relationship.
SN's NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Is Frank Gore Jr. related to Frank Gore?
Yes, Frank Gore Jr. is indeed related to Frank Gore. The Bills tailback is Frank Gore's son.
Frank Gore Sr. with some words of encouragement for Frank Jr. before his NFL debut.
— NFL (@NFL) October 14, 2024
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9KaiXK5saa
Frank Gore Sr is at MetLife Stadium to watch Frank Gore Jr make his NFL debut.
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) October 14, 2024
That’s pretty cool. #BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/UXUBcOihYO
The younger Gore took a path less traveled to make it to the big leagues, starring at Sun Belt side Southern Mississippi after garnering three-star billing, according to 247Sports. He was a four-year starter with the Golden Eagles, finishing his career as the program's third-leading rusher.
LIVE: Bills, Jets face off in important divisional matchup
Frank Gore Jr. didn't hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft. He found a home in Buffalo, however, agreeing to a deal to become a member of the Bills' practice squad.
"We’re good," Frank Gore Sr. told ESPN's Josina Anderson back in April (via Twitter). "We're going to Buffalo, man, to do our thing. Tell them they better be ready — trust me. I know what I’m raising. Folks slept on my son; they slept on me too — they'll see. My bloodline is for real. Our (pre-draft) testing was identical. All the scouts were like you can tell that’s my son. I f— with (Brandon) Beane. He’s the real deal. I’m happy to get my son to this point. We’re coming to play. Buffalo got a dog; I promise you that. I don't give a f— about a draft pick. We’re about to party and do our thing."
Frank Gore Jr. was summarily called up to the senior squad after James Cook was ruled out of Buffalo's Week 6 matchup with the Jets with a toe injury.
The elder Gore, meanwhile, overcame an injury-plagued career at Miami (FL) to achieve NFL success. The 49ers made Gore their third-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft despite the former Hurricane suffering two ACL tears. He repaid their faith by becoming one of football's greatest-ever running backs, tallying 16,000 yards and 81 touchdowns on the ground — the third- and 20th-best marks in NFL history.
Frank Gore Jr. 40 time
Gore Jr. didn't participate in any of the traditional events at the NFL Combine, but he did do so at his pro day.
He ran the same unofficial 40-yard dash time as his father and managed to stay fairly close to those numbers in the vertical and broad jumps. Here's how the side-by-side comparison looks with those known results:
| Combine event | Frank Gore Jr. | Frank Gore |
| 40-yard dash | 4.58 seconds | 4.58 seconds |
| Vertical jump | 29 inches | 34 inches |
| Broad jump | 9 foot, 3 inch | 9 foot, 1 inch |
| 3-cone drill | — | 6.91 seconds |
| 20-yard shuttle | — | 4.11 seconds |
Frank Gore Jr. scouting report
In a league where speed has become a top priority, Frank Gore Jr. noticeably lacks it. His 4.58 40-yard dash leaves plenty to be desired, especially when offensive linemen haven't been far off from that number.
Evaluators found themselves concerned with Frank Gore Jr.'s lack of burst and home run ability. Those factors appear to limit his upside. He seems more likely to play the change-of-pace role rather than find himself atop the depth chart.
Frank Gore Jr. has earned plaudits for his ability to read blocks and find running lanes. His strength, durability, and toughness make up his relatively meager size. Frank Gore Jr. also has potential as a receiver out of the backfield.
Frank Gore Jr. stats
| Year | School | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | Scrimmage Yds |
| 2019 | Southern Miss | 10 | 121 | 708 | 2 | 9 | 97 | 1 | 805 |
| 2020 | Southern Miss | 12 | 179 | 801 | 5 | 20 | 155 | 0 | 956 |
| 2021 | Southern Miss | 13 | 228 | 1382 | 9 | 19 | 219 | 0 | 1601 |
| 2022 | Southern Miss | 12 | 231 | 1131 | 10 | 27 | 221 | 3 | 1352 |
Frank Gore Jr. age
Frank Gore Jr. is 22, having been born on March 13, 2002 in Miami.
Frank Gore age
Frank Gore is 41. He was born in Miami on May 14, 1983.
