Over six NFL seasons, Tim Hightower built a reputation as a good "locker-room guy." It turns out the new 49ers running back is a good "equipment-room guy," too.
Hightower, 30, arrived for the start of the offseason program Monday to find he had been issued No. 21, which as every devout 49ers fan knows, was the number Frank Gore wore for 10 seasons in San Francisco.
Hightower, however, indicated he soon would have a new jersey.
He posted on Instagram a picture of himself in front of his new locker -- which contains his number -- and added hash tags "#numbertheygaveme" "#willbechanged" and "#numbershouldberetired"
The post drew more than 1,000 "likes" and a round of praise from fans.