AntonioGates

Antonio Ethan Gates Jr. is a former tight end born June 18, 1980, in Detroit, Michigan (6'4", 260 lbs). He spent his entire 16-year career (2003–2018) with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, where he played basketball, not football. He's an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

Gates never played a down of college football. A basketball standout at Kent State, he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight in 2002 before NBA scouts deemed him a "tweener." He arranged a private workout for NFL teams and signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003 — becoming, eventually, the first player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame without a college football snap to his name.

Gates broke out in his second season, tying and then breaking the NFL's single-season touchdown record for a tight end. He became Philip Rivers' most reliable target for over a decade, forming what was at the time the most prolific quarterback-tight end touchdown combination in league history. He earned eight straight Pro Bowls (2004–2011) and three first-team All-Pro selections.

Gates retired as the Chargers' all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards, and finished his career with 116 receiving touchdowns — still the most ever by a tight end and seventh-most by any player in NFL history.

Gates announced his retirement in 2020 and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025, cementing his place as one of the greatest tight ends — and greatest undrafted players — in league history.