By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Antonio Gates is the youngest player in this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He made the Class of 2025 at 44 years old.
Gates is one of four players in the class, as announced on Thursday night by Rich Eisen during the NFL Honors in New Orleans, Lousiana.
He is the second offensive player in the class. He is joined on the offensive side of the ball by former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who had to wait a long time, before receiving the call to the Hall.
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They are also joined in the Hall by defensive players Jared Allen and Eric Allen. Like Sharpe, Allen waited a very long time before finally seeing this moment, as they go into the Hall together.
Gates is a former Kent State Golden Flashes basketball player. After playing basketball for his junior and senior years, he received a tryout with the Chargers. Gates previously attended the Michigan State University and the Eastern Michigan University.
The undrafted free agent turned out to be a stud. He is one of the greatest undrafted free-agent signings in league history.
He played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers from 2003 through 2018. He departed the game as the Chargers leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
In 2015, he became just the second tight end in league history to surpass 100 receiving touchdowns. The 116 touchdowns by Gates are the most by a tight end in NFL history.
He is considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history.
The tight end played in eight Pro Bowls. He also was a three-time All-Pro.
Gates appeared in 236 NFL games. He made 190 starts.
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He had 955 receptions for 11,841 yards. He had the aforementioned 116 yards.
His best reception season came in 2005 when he had 89 receptions. His best yardage season came in 2009 when he had 1,157 yards.
Gates’ best touchdown season came in 2004 when he had 13 touchdowns.
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