Former 49ers RB Frank Gore advances in Pro Football Hall of Fame process

Former 49ers running back Frank Gore, the NFL’s No. 3 all-time leading rusher, headlines a group of 52 modern-era players that a screening committee advanced to the next phase in the Pro Football Hall of Fame process.Gore is in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. The other first-time eligible players to advance are quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, running back LeSean McCoy, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight ends Jason Witten and Greg Olsen and center Maurkice Pouncey.The next vote will include the entire 50-person selection committee and take the modern-era candidates down to 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2026.Eventually, 15 modern-era finalists will be joined by three seniors, one coach and one contributor. There is no set number of enshrinees for any class, but the Hall of Fame’s bylaws mandate that from four to eight new members will be selected for next year’s induction class.Tackle Willie Anderson, receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri automatically advance to the final 15 in this election cycle because they reached the final list of seven modern-era players in last year’s selection...