Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates
refer to caption
Gates with the Chargers in 2016
Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Legends ambassador
Personal information
Born: (1980-06-18) June 18, 1980 (age 44)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Central
(Detroit, Michigan)
College:Kent State (2001–2003)
Undrafted:2003
Career history
As a player:
As an executive:
  • Los Angeles Chargers (2020–present)
    Legends ambassador
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:955
Receiving yards:11,841
Receiving touchdowns:116
Player stats at PFR

Antonio Ethan Gates Jr. (born June 18, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers during his entire career in the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a six-time All-Pro selection. He retired on January 14, 2020, after 16 years with the Chargers.

Gates was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball for the Kent State Golden Flashes. He attended college at Kent State University in his junior and senior years after brief stints at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University.[1] He is the Chargers' career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.[2] In 2015, he became the second tight end and ninth player overall to record 100 career touchdown receptions.[3] He ranks seventh in career touchdown receptions, with 116, and leads all tight ends in NFL history. Gates is considered one of the best tight ends and undrafted free agents in NFL history.[4][5][6][7]

  1. ^ "Antonio Gates". Draft Day Picks. 2003. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  2. ^ Gehlken, Michael (December 29, 2014). "Antonio Gates ends year with milestone". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "Antonio Gates catches his 100th career touchdown". Sports Illustrated. October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Williams, Eric D. (May 27, 2016). "Antonio Gates among top undrafted players in NFL history". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Scott, J.P. (June 21, 2022). "25 Greatest Tight Ends in NFL History". Athlon Sports. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  6. ^ Fragoza, James (October 24, 2021). "13 greatest tight ends of all time from Tony Gonzalez to Jackie Smith". Pro Football Network. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Brandt, Gil (June 27, 2017). "Gil Brandt's 14 greatest NFL tight ends of all time". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.