“It’s bittersweet. (I’m) happy we got the win. Happy we were able to get Frank and Anquan to their milestones, and get this win. But Coach Harbaugh is the coach that drafted me. He’s the coach that chose to start me. He’s the coach that stood behind me through everything.”
-Colin Kaepernick
The day belonged to Frank Gore and Jim Harbaugh but for very different reasons. Gore finished the day with 25 carries for 144 yards, 11,000 career rushing yards (only the 20th player to do so), and his eighth consecutive 1,000 yard season. He has made an excellent case for the 49ers to sign him to one more year and let him retire with San Francisco. Frank Gore is an excellent player, a fixture on this team, and an awesome person. Teammate Joe Staley said, “Frank Gore. My favorite football player and teammate of all time. I have the utmost respect for him not just as a player but as a human.” Gore ran around the field slapping hands with fans after the game. It made me tear up.
And the day belonged to Harbaugh because it was his last as coach of the 49ers, which also made me tear up. Even though I think it’s for the best and he’ll probably be coaching at my alma mater next season, I’m going to miss him, his passion (sometimes tantrums), and his khakis on the Niners sideline. Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin – who finished his day with his second consecutive 1,000 yard season – said, “If it was my decision, he would be here.” QB Colin Kaepernick, who had a good day, passing for 204 yards, rushing for 66, and throwing two TDs, said “I’ll always be a fan of Coach Harbaugh. Not too sure about Michigan.” I guess even Kaepernick doesn’t have perfect taste.
But maybe most fitting in today’s bittersweet symphony of a win was the goodbye between Harbaugh and Gore. They hugged in the locker room and when Harbaugh told Gore’s kids what a great guy their dad is and one of them said, “Please don’t leave.” You guessed it, I’m tearing up.
With the season over, San Francisco looks to 2015 with a lot of questions. But for now, in honor of Jim Harbaugh, once more with feeling – Whose got it better than us? Nobooody!