Sad news from 49ers headquarters today. It turns out the rumors about Frank Gore's mother's passing were true. Mike Nolan said that Gore's mother, Liz, who has been battling kidney ailments for years, died on Wednesday. Gore did not practice today but is expected to play in Sunday's game in St. Louis.
"He said, 'Coach, I'm going to play,'" Nolan said. "I didn't have to ask. Frank just kind of offered it."
Gore flew to Miami a few weeks ago to be with his mother who, according to Nolan, was having surgery. He felt that if he did not see her then, he might not see her again. He'll likely make a return trip to Miami following Sunday's game.
We spoke with Gore around 1 p.m. yesterday and the discussion ranged from former Miami teammate Kevin Everett's recovery to Gore's problems catching passes Monday night. He was on his cell phone and checked text messages before we talked, and it didn't appear as if anything was amiss.
Gore, who grew up in Coconut Grove, Fla., was very close to his mother, who raised Gore, his two siblings and several cousins in a one-bedroom apartment. Gore often said that taking care of her was his top objective and one of his first extravagant purchases was a four-bedroom home for Liz, 46, in West Kendall, Fla.
Nolan said Gore arrived for practice Thursday morning but was having such a tough time, he was told to go home. Gore has family in town to help him with the loss.
-- Matt Barrows
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