Frank Gore was still a member of the Miami Dolphins, using the team’s facilities to rehabilitate a foot injury that prematurely ended his homecoming season, when Brian Flores was hired as the new coach earlier this year.
That’s when Flores and Gore formally introduced themselves to each other.
But unbeknownst to Gore, it was not their first interaction.
Before the Dolphins travel to play Gore and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, let’s revisit the University of Miami-Boston College game in 2003.
Gore, now 36, was a sophomore, playing in his fourth game after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament the previous year. It was one game before his second ACL tear while in college.
Flores, now 38, was a senior linebacker/defensive back, playing his final season of organized football before he transitioned into life as a scouting assistant and future coach.
They collided in the first quarter. UM quarterback Brock Berlin escaped the pocket and threw a short pass to his only outlet. Gore bobbled it and was unable to maintain possession after Flores tackled him with a full head of steam out of the secondary.
Flores — unlike the demeanor he shows as Dolphins coach — could not contain his excitement after delivering the third-down hit that got Boston College off the field.
“I didn’t remember that until one of our guys showed it to me. Thanks for looking that up, I appreciate it,” Flores said bashfully with a laugh as video of the play was posted on social media this week.
“I had a couple of laughs in there. Let’s not get into that.”
It did not take long for Gore to get the best of Flores. On the next Hurricanes possession at the 2-yard line, Flores lined up at the line of scrimmage and was able to penetrate past a tight end. But Gore was one step ahead of Flores’ straight angle into the backfield.
Gore bounced to the outside and scored a touchdown up the left side, leaving Flores stumbling while trying to change direction to chase him.
“It’s football,” Gore said on a conference call with local reporters this week. “If he’s going to get me, I’m going to get him.”
That was just two plays during their matchup 16 years ago.
Flores was quick to mention playing against Gore when they met at the Dolphins facility, shortly before Gore signed with Bills in March.
Flores, however, could not avoid being teased playfully by other coaches and players who saw the play this week.
“I tackled one of the greatest backs to ever play in the National Football League. I’ll take it,” Flores said of Gore. “Now hopefully we can, as a team, tackle him this weekend. He’s a great player. They’ve got a really good team. I took a little slack for that [Wednesday]. Thanks.”
When the Dolphins (0-5) meet the Bills (4-1) on Sunday, Flores will work to help his Dolphins players slow down Gore, who continues to defy age and conventional wisdom in this brutal sport during his 15th NFL season.
Despite not being re-signed as the Dolphins begun their rebuilding process under Flores, Gore appreciated his lone season with the team last year.
Gore loved playing for his hometown team, just like he did in college. He was grateful to see his older son, Frank Gore Jr., now a freshman at FAU, play as a high school senior.
Gore enjoyed being a mentor to Dolphins players such as Kalen Ballage, whom he stretched with before games. It started during the season opener last year, and it’s a routine Ballage still incorporates during his pregame routine.
“Frank is a little older than me now so he has to do a little bit more to get warmed up,” Ballage said with a smile.
“I was a fan of Frank before I knew Frank. And then once I finally got to know Frank, I became an even bigger fan,” Ballage added. “Just of how he carries himself, how humble he is, where he’s come from, what he got through — just everything about Frank. I gravitated towards him as a person, not just a football player.”
Gore finished his lone season with the Dolphins with 722 yards rushing, 124 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown before suffering a foot injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15.
He left Miami with 14,748 career rushing yards, and had longtime streaks of starting 122 consecutive games, playing in 126 consecutive games, and rushing for more than 1,000 yards in 12 straight seasons broken.
His only regret, however, during the 7-9 season: “I just wish we would’ve won more in Miami, but it didn’t happen.”
Gore has kept tabs on Miami’s season and is looking forward to playing against some of the players he played with last season.
“I know their record isn’t where they want to be, but they’re playing hard,” Gore said. “I respect them guys. I went to war with them last year, and I’m looking forward to a good game this Sunday.”
Gore is relishing another opportunity with the Bills in his 15th NFL season. He already has two touchdowns and 333 rushing yards in five games this season, reaching the elusive 15,000-yard plateau during a Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots on Sept. 29.
If he stays healthy, Gore could finish this season as the third-highest rusher in NFL history, needing just 188 yards to pass Barry Sanders (15,269). He also trails Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) on the all-time list.
Just like he did in Miami last year, Gore has been hesitant this season to publicly address when he will retire.
And why should he?
Gore is healthy. He’s involved in Buffalo’s game plan and has opportunities to make an impact.
He has taken another young player under his wing in former FAU product Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary, who he said reminds him of himself.
He’s playing for a winning team that could contend for a playoff spot.
And he is still enjoying himself along the way.
“I’ve been blessed,” Gore said. “I’m still doing something I love. I’m still having fun, and I want to keep doing it.”
What you need to know
Miami (0-5) at Buffalo (4-1)
Kickoff: 1 p.m., New Era Field, Orchard Park, N.Y.
TV: CBS (Ch: 4 in Miami/Fort Lauderdale; Ch: 12 in Palm Beach); Radio: WQAM (560 AM), KISS (99.9 FM), WQBA (1140 AM, Spanish)
Coaches: Brian Flores (0-5 in first season with Dolphins); Sean McDermott (19-18 in his third season with Bills)
Series: The Dolphins hold a 60-45-1 lead in the series; Miami and Buffalo have split their past six meetings.
Line: Buffalo minus 16.5, with 40.5 as the over-under
Injuries: Dolphins — Out: SS Reshad Jones (chest), C Daniel Kilgore (knee), DE Avery Moss (ankle), Questionable: WR Jakeem Grant (hamstring), CB Xavien Howard (cornerback); Bills — Questionable: CB Taron Johnson (hamstring), LB Matt Milano (hamstring), LB Corey Thompson (ankle)
Noteworthy: Ryan Fitzpatrick has a 78.8 passer rating in the five games he’s played against Buffalo. He needs 208 passing yards to become the 46th player in NFL history to reach 30,000 in his career. … Kenyan Drake has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and has scored two touchdowns in the six games he’s played against the Bills. … Franke Gore leads the Bills with 333 rushing yards and has scored two rushing touchdowns on his 75 attempts this season. … The Bills average 144 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per attempt. … The Dolphins are allowing 169.6 rushing yards per game, which is the second-worst in the NFL.
