JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore moved ahead of two Hall of Famers for fifth place on the NFL's career rushing-yardage list in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Gore moved ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson (13,684 yards) on a 16-yard run with 10:13 left in the third quarter. The 34-year-old Gore passed Jerome Bettis (13,662 yards) when he went off tackle for an 11-yard gain in the second quarter.
"It's a blessing," Gore said after the game. "I respect all the guys who I passed, especially the one today, LT. I remember when I first came in the league. I was in San Francisco my rookie year, and we played against them in the preseason. I was like a little kid when I met him. I respect the way he plays the game. He was one of my top five [players] who I liked as a player."
Gore finished with 61 yards on 13 carries in a 30-10 loss. Gore now has 13,697 yards in his career.
"I mean, he's a warrior," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "He runs as hard as anybody. He did a heck of a job. There's not a better competitor around. He's a Hall of Famer. He's a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. But he could give two-whatever about that. He just wants to win. All those guys want to win."
Tomlinson and Bettis are the second and third players whom Gore has run past on the career rushing list this season. He passed Eric Dickerson for seventh place in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Gore likely won't move ahead of Curtis Martin for fourth before the end of the season. Martin rushed for 14,101 yards in his career.
Part of the reason for Gore's success has been his durability. He has missed just 12 games in his 13-year career and started 102 straight games, the longest active starting streak by a running back in the NFL.
"When you look back at my career coming out of college, all the ups and downs I had in college, and I got here, a lot of doubters saying I won't be here long," Gore said. "I'm still here, and I'm still competing. My name is getting mentioned with a lot of great guys. It's a blessing."