Antonio Gates (born June 18, 1980 in Detroit ) is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball . He attended college at Kent State University .
NFL career
San Diego Chargers
After being told by scouts that he was too much of a "tweener " (6′4″) to make the NBA , Gates arranged a workout in front of NFL scouts. As many as 19 teams were believed to have contacted Gates about a try out. Gates chose to work out first for the San Diego Chargers. Recognizing his enormous potential, the Chargers immediately signed him to a contract as an undrafted free agent.
After finishing a solid 2003 rookie season in which he caught 24 passes for 389 yards and two scores, he was picked by many experts to have a breakout season in 2004 . That year, only his second season in the NFL, Gates became quarterback Drew Brees ' favorite target, finishing the season with 81 receptions for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns . On December 19, Gates tied the NFL season record for touchdowns by a tight end (13) in a 21–0 win over the Cleveland Browns , and he went on to break that record in an overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on December 26. Gates was selected to the 2005 Pro Bowl and caught a TD pass from Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning to help the AFC to a 38–27 victory. Additionally, Gates was on the receiving end of a 33 yard pass from teammate Drew Brees in a flea-flicker play selected by fans online.
On August 23, 2005, after holding out for a contract extension, Gates inked a six-year deal worth up to $24 million with the San Diego Chargers. Because of his holdout, Gates was suspended for one game–the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys in a close game that Gates probably could have helped them win. Gates went on to have another stellar season, catching 89 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, but the Chargers missed the playoffs by a single win.
With the departure of Drew Brees during the offseason, it was assumed that Gates would suffer a decline in production in 2006, with first-year starter Philip Rivers at the helm. Gates had a relatively quiet start to the season, but he finished the year strongly and ended up with 924 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes on December 10 against Denver to help the Chargers clinch their division.
2008
Gates said he was leaning toward having surgery to repair a dislocated left big toe that slowed his performance during the NFL 2008 Playoffs , but was undecided on whether to have surgery or not, "There is higher chance I'm going to have surgery". Gates also pulled out of his 5th Pro Bowl selection because of his injuries alongside his teammate LaDainian Tomlinson . Gates finished the season with 60 receptions for 704 yards and eight touchdowns.
On February 23, 2008, Gates said he would have foot surgery to fix the injury that has hurt him in the final part of the season. He would face a 4–6 month recovery time. He seemed questionable for Week 1 and even sounded worried about his status for the opening day of the 2008 season, however, he ended up playing every game despite complaints that his toe was bothering him during the first half of the season.
2009
For the 2009 NFL regular season, Gates caught 79 balls for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns. His 1,157 receiving yards is his career high.
2010
Gates began the 2010 by signing a lucrative long-term deal with the Chargers.
Facts and records
- On October 3, 2010, Gates became the 7th tight end ever to have 500 receptions.
- Since 2004, only former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison , Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss , and wide receiver Terrell Owens , have caught more touchdowns than Gates.
- In 2005 and 2006, Antonio Gates was selected as the NFL's All-Pro tight end.
- Gates also holds the single season touchdown reception record for tight ends with 13, a record shared with Vernon Davis .
- Gates appeared as himself in the November 18, 2009, episode of The League .
- One of Gates' AAU basketball teammates was current NBA player Jason Richardson
Regular season stats
| Receiving | ||||||
| Year | Team | G | Rec | Yards | Y/R | TD |
| 2003 | San Diego | 11 | 24 | 389 | 16.2 | 2 |
| 2004 | San Diego | 15 | 81 | 964 | 11.9 | 13 |
| 2005 | San Diego | 15 | 89 | 1101 | 12.4 | 10 |
| 2006 | San Diego | 16 | 71 | 924 | 13.0 | 9 |
| 2007 | San Diego | 16 | 75 | 984 | 13.1 | 9 |
| 2008 | San Diego | 16 | 60 | 704 | 11.7 | 8 |
| 2009 | San Diego | 16 | 79 | 1157 | 14.7 | 8 |
| 2010 | San Diego | 4 | 24 | 386 | 16.1 | 6 |
| Career | San Diego | 93 | 503 | 6,609 | 13.1 | 65 |
References
External links
- Official NFL Players' Page: Antonio Gates
- San Diego Chargers Player Bio: Antonio Gates
- Pro-Reference-Football.com Stats: Antonio Gates
- ESPN.Com Kent State basketball statistics
| Preceded by Mike Ditka [1961], (12) | Record for NFL Tight End Receiving Touchdowns in a Single Season [2004], (13) | Succeeded by Current Record Holder |
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Antonio Gates (born June 18, 1980 in Detroit) is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in Read the rest
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Biographicon. Antonio Gates . Antonio Gates (born June 18, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan) is a football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. Read the rest