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Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close Image 2 of 34 Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers puts his arm around Frank Gore before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers puts his arm around Frank Gore before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014. Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 3 of 34 Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Image 4 of 34 Frank Gore on a first quarter run, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday Dec. 20, 2014. Frank Gore on a first quarter run, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday Dec. 20, 2014. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 5 of 34 Image 6 of 34 Frank Gore (21) protected the ball during a big run in the second quarter Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers vs the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park. Frank Gore (21) protected the ball during a big run in the second quarter Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers vs the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 7 of 34 Frank Gore (21)went over Kareem Jackson (25) for a big gain in the second half Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Houston Texans 34-3 at Candlestick Park. Frank Gore (21)went over Kareem Jackson (25) for a big gain in the second half Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Houston Texans 34-3 at Candlestick Park. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 8 of 34 Frank Gore pounded his chest after his first half touchdown Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers vs the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park. Frank Gore pounded his chest after his first half touchdown Sunday October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers vs the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 9 of 34 Former 49er great Jerry Rice (left) stopped and said hello to Frank Gore during pregame workouts. The San Francisco 49ers vs the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park Sunday December 1, 2013. Former 49er great Jerry Rice (left) stopped and said hello to Frank Gore during pregame workouts. The San Francisco 49ers vs the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park Sunday December 1, 2013. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 10 of 34 Image 11 of 34 Frank Gore (21) got a flag thrown as he wrestled with TJ McDonald in the first half. The San Francisco 49ers vs the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park Sunday December 1, 2013. Frank Gore (21) got a flag thrown as he wrestled with TJ McDonald in the first half. The San Francisco 49ers vs the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park Sunday December 1, 2013. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 12 of 34 49ers Frank Gore, (21) on a first quarter run for a first down, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park on Sunday Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco, Ca. 49ers Frank Gore, (21) on a first quarter run for a first down, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park on Sunday Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco, Ca. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 13 of 34 49ers Frank Gore, (21) on a 51 yard run late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning field goal, being chased by Richard Sherman, (25), as the San Francisco 49ers went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 19-17, at Candlestick Park on Sunday Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco, Ca. less 49ers Frank Gore, (21) on a 51 yard run late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning field goal, being chased by Richard Sherman, (25), as the San Francisco 49ers went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks ... more Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 14 of 34 Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrated with Frank Gore (21) after Gore's touchdown in the second half Sunday September 8, 2013. The San Francisco 49ers open their 2013 season with a 34-28 victory against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. less Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrated with Frank Gore (21) after Gore's touchdown in the second half Sunday September 8, 2013. The San Francisco 49ers open their 2013 season with a 34-28 victory against the Green ... more Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 15 of 34 Image 16 of 34 49ers Frank Gore talks to media at the 49ers Training Facility on Thursday, June 13, 2013 in Santa Clara, Calif. 49ers Frank Gore talks to media at the 49ers Training Facility on Thursday, June 13, 2013 in Santa Clara, Calif. Photo: Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Image 17 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) and Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Joplo Bartu (59) during the third quarter of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on Monday December 23, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. less San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) and Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Joplo Bartu (59) during the third quarter of the ... more Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 18 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs during the fourth quarter of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on Monday December 23, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. less San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs during the fourth quarter of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on Monday December 23, 2013 in San Francisco, ... more Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 19 of 34 Running back Frank Gore (21)during the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA., on Sunday January 20, 2013. Running back Frank Gore (21)during the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA., on Sunday January 20, 2013. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Image 20 of 34 Image 21 of 34 Photo: Bryan Thomas / Special to the Chronicle Image 22 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) breaks through the line of scrimage during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) breaks through the line of scrimage during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. Photo: Kathy Willens / AP Image 23 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, right, looks to run past Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. less San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, right, looks to run past Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in ... more Photo: Genevieve Ross / Associated Press Image 24 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. Photo: Genevieve Ross / Associated Press Image 25 of 34 Image 26 of 34 San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, right, runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, right, runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. Photo: Genevieve Ross / Associated Press Image 27 of 34 Frank Gore breaks through a hole in the line for a gain in the third quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Frank Gore breaks through a hole in the line for a gain in the third quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle Image 28 of 34 Frank Gore carries the ball past Detroit Lions defensive back Drayton Florence, left, during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. Frank Gore carries the ball past Detroit Lions defensive back Drayton Florence, left, during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. Photo: Tony Avelar / Associated Press Image 29 of 34 Running back Frank Gore smiles as he watches the 49ers defeat the Chargers 35-3 in an exhibition game. Running back Frank Gore smiles as he watches the 49ers defeat the Chargers 35-3 in an exhibition game. Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle Image 30 of 34 Image 31 of 34 San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (21) runs past Green Bay Packers' M.D. Jennings (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 30-22. San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (21) runs past Green Bay Packers' M.D. Jennings (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 30-22. Photo: Mike Roemer / Associated Press Image 32 of 34 Frank Gore breaks through a hole in the line for a gain in the third quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Frank Gore breaks through a hole in the line for a gain in the third quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the Detroit Lions at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, September 16, 2012. Photo: Sean Culligan / Special to The Chronicle Image 33 of 34 Gore during training camp at 49ers NFL football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, July 27, 2012. Gore during training camp at 49ers NFL football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, July 27, 2012. Photo: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press Image 34 of 34 Once 'soft,' Gore credits Rathman for mid-career change 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

The 49ers employ a hard-nosed, Nebraska-bred former fullback as their running backs coach, and Frank Gore is grateful for that.

Gore, of course, is something of a rarity: a dynamic running back that delights in dirty work.

Gore’s ability to stonewall blitzing linebackers is legendary (see here). And watch closely the next time Colin Kaepernick is sprinting 20 yards downfield. There’s a decent chance Gore will be in the immediate vicinity looking to wipe out a would-be tackler.

It wasn’t always like this. During the first four seasons of his nine-year career, Gore defined himself by yards gained and linebackers eluded. Then former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman arrived in 2009.

During a 20-minute interview for this feature story, Gore brought up Rathman’s influence without prompting and was eager to stay on that topic.

“You have to try to do everything great as a running back,” Gore said. “I feel like everybody at this level should be able to run the ball, but coach Tom got me to think – he changed my mind – about the extra stuff. Protecting the quarterback, blocking downfield.”

“A lot of guys can’t do what I do. Seeing the holes before they’re there, getting through small spaces and trying my best to protect my quarterback. Other backs don’t do that. And I give credit for that to Tom. I just wanted to run the ball before. I didn’t mind protecting, but now I take pride in it.”

Gore arrived in the NFL known for his resilience. He tore the ACL in both knees at Miami. He returned from his second surgery to rush for 945 yards in 2004 in his final college season and won the Brian Piccolo Award given to the ACC’s “most courageous” player.

However, Rathman, whose run-first Nebraska team lost a national championship to glitzy Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl, wasn’t impressed: Dude, don’t you want to block?

“He challenged me. He called me soft: ‘Oh, you’re from Miami,’” Gore said. “I don’t know what kind of bad experience he had with Miami players, but he was going at me hard, man. And I’m a competitive guy. And I respect Tom. I’m glad he came into my career when he did because I think that was the perfect time. I think he’s a big part of my success and why I’m still going.”

One of Gore’s first chances to prove his grit to Rathman came during a joint training-camp practice with the Raiders in 2009. Gore treated the one-on-one pass blocking drills pitting the 49ers running backs and Raiders linebackers like the Super Bowl. At one point, Rathman had to separate Gore from Oakland’s Kirk Morrison (see video).

Gore admitted he was initially ticked off by Rathman’s assessment.

“Yeah, at first, I was like ‘Man, this guy,’” Gore said. “We went to practice against Oakland and I was going to show him that I wasn’t soft.”

For his part, Rathman, 51, doesn’t recall specifically calling out Gore.

“I can remember sitting down and talking to him in the classroom, with all the guys, explaining to them what we want those guys to become as football players,” Rathman said.

Whatever the case, Rathman acknowledged the obvious: The message resonated.

“You see Kap run and you see Frank down there getting cut blocks,” Rathman said. “I don’t know, from the footage I’ve seen in the NFL, I don’t know if any back has ever done what he’s doing as far as being a pass-blocker and blocking downfield.”

“… There’s a lot of players that play the game. And there’s a lot of football players that play the game. And Frank is definitely a football player. And we love having football players here. Guys that are passionate about the game and want to do anything possible to have success. Frank does it all.”