Antonio Gates

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gates was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball for the Kent State Golden Flashes. He attended Kent State University for his entire college career (1999–2002). He is the Chargers' career leader in receiving touchdowns. In 2015, he became the second tight end and ninth player overall to record 100 career touchdown receptions. He ranks seventh in career touchdown receptions, with 116, and leads all tight ends in NFL history. He was the first player to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame without playing college football. Gates is considered one of the best tight ends and undrafted free agents in NFL history.

In Their Own Story

In 2003, despite never playing college football, Gates arranged workouts for NFL scouts after being labeled a "tweener" for the NBA. Nineteen teams reportedly contacted him, but he chose to work out first for the San Diego Chargers, who signed him immediately as an undrafted free agent. His rookie season saw him rise from third string to starter, recording his first 100-yard game (117 yards) against Green Bay in week 15 and finishing with two touchdowns. By 2004, he became a preferred target for quarterback Drew Brees, breaking the single-season touchdown record for tight ends by catching 13 scores. On December 26, 2004, he broke his own record of 12 touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts in overtime. He later became the second tight end and ninth player overall to reach 100 career touchdown receptions in 2015, finishing with 116 total.

Reader's Guide

Gates played basketball rather than football in college. He originally enrolled at Michigan State University wanting to play football under then-coach Nick Saban as well as basketball under coach Tom Izzo. Upon enrolling, he learned that Saban wanted him to play only football. Moreover, the coach wanted to move him to defense as a defensive end or linebacker. Gates then chose to pursue playing basketball by transferring to Eastern Michigan University. He played there part of a season before transferring to the College of the Sequoias, a junior college in California, to focus on academics. Recruited by Stan Heath, Gates transferred to Kent State University in northeastern Ohio. As a member of the Golden Flashes, Gates played two seasons as power forward. In his junior season he averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His junior season his team won its first regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship in school history after finishing the regular season with a 24–5 overall record with a 17–1 record in the MAC. Gates helped the Golden Flashes win their second consecutive MAC tournament and earn its resulting berth in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, he gave crucial performances that helped Kent State reach the Elite Eight as a 10 seed by upsetting 7 seed Oklahoma State (69–61), 2 seed Alabama (71–58) and 3 seed Pittsburgh (78–73). He was named second-team All-MAC for the 2002 season. As a senior, Gates received honorable mention All-American honors from the Associated Press after averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He finished with a record of 54–16 in two years of playing. He also earned first-team All-MAC recognition in 2003. His jersey number, 44, was retired on February 27, 2010, making him just the fourth Golden Flash to receive the honor. After being told by scouts that he was too much of a 'tweener' to make the NBA, Gates arranged a workout in front of NFL scouts. Despite never having played college football, as many as 19 teams were believed to have contacted Gates about a tryout. Gates chose to work out first for the San Diego Chargers. Recognizing his potential, the Chargers immediately signed him to a contract as an undrafted free agent.

Did You Know?

• Gates was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball for Kent State.
• He is the Chargers' career leader in receiving touchdowns, but not in receiving yards (Lance Alworth holds that record).
• Gates was the first player inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame without playing college football.
• He wore a size 12 shoe by sixth grade and stood entering high school.