In his first year of eligibility, tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers was named one of 15 modern-era player finalists for the NFL‘s 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. Will Gates’ name get called into Canton, Ohio?
Antonio Gates’ Storied NFL Career
One tight end that created a headache for defensive coordinators across the NFL during his playing days was Gates, who went undrafted in 2003.
As a collegiate athlete, Gates, surprisingly, focused on basketball and not football.
Despite his career résumé not showing a Super Bowl, the former Kent State athlete put up unbelievable accomplishments, including being a four-time first-team All-Pro and getting selected to the Pro Bowl eight seasons in a row.
In a 2017 Week 2 loss against the Miami Dolphins, Gates caught his 112th career touchdown pass, setting a new NFL record for most touchdown grabs as a tight end.
Emerging as a starter in only his second season, Hunter Henry would eventually move a spot in front of Gates, and the veteran’s playing time moving forward diminished. Gates only accounted for five combined touchdowns in the final two seasons of his historic football career.
Sharing the same field as Philip Rivers, the Chargers, during Gates’ tenure, went as far as the 2007 AFC Championship Game before ultimately falling to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.
Where Gates Ranks Compared to Other NFL Tight Ends
When you mention the term GOAT, in reference to the “greatest of all time” in relation to the tight end spot, you think of guys like Shannon Sharpe, Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Travis Kelce, and Rob Gronkowski.
Gates, however, must also be on that list.
During his career, Gates had a famous quote he would tell members of the media:
“I try to find out what the guy’s strengths and weaknesses are. Like in boxing, I’d be a counter-puncher. Whatever he does well, I try to take advantage of what he doesn’t do well.”
Very similar to former Patriots HC Bill Belichick and his masterful game planning of his opponent.
There may have been a few games in Gates’ career where the numbers were not eye-popping, but the key plays were consistently made to send his Chargers squad to a victory.
Current Chargers QB Justin Herbert never got the opportunity to play alongside Gates, but he had strong words when talking about the veteran TE, who is now involved in the team’s front office as a Legends Ambassador.
“I was a huge fan of the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson, and Philip Rivers. All those guys. Antonio Gates.”
antonio gates belongs in the hall of fame pic.twitter.com/PnWLRPWfHx
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 28, 2023
Gates always found a way to cross the end zone. It didn’t matter if he was in single, double, or even triple coverage.
His ability to make the contested catches and the loyalty he carried with one organization is why Gates is one step closer to Canton.
MORE: Who Is Julius Peppers? Revisiting the Legendary Defensive End’s Impressive Career
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be inducted during the NFL Honors, which takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 8.
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