49ers RB Tim Hightower Vows to Return Team-Issued No. 21 in Honor of Frank Gore

Former New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, but the 30-year-old disagreed with the jersey number he was given.

On Monday, Hightower posted a selfie in front of his locker, which featured No. 21. That number belonged to Frank Gore in his 49ers heyday.

Gore, now with the Indianapolis Colts, is the Niners' all-time leading rusher and ranks second in franchise history with 64 rushing touchdowns.

As noted by CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, that number hasn't been used since Gore left two years ago. Based on Hightower's caption, it won't be used this year either.

Among the hashtags he used were "#numbertheygaveme," "#willbechanged" and "#numbershouldberetired." Hightower added, "much respect to [Gore] #legend."

[Instagram]