DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Antonio Gates, who played football and basketball at Detroit Central High School, has been voted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It is his third Hall of Fame, of which he will be a part, in the Michigan Sports and Kent State Athletics Hall of Fame. He enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame with wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, defensive end Jared Allen, and cornerback Eric Allen.
Gates and his stats.
Gates is an eight-time All-Pro tight end playing 16 years in the NFL. He spent his entire career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003. The all-time career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown leader for the Chargers, he became the second tight end and ninth player to record over 100 career touchdown receptions.
As one of the best tight ends and undrafted NFL players ever, Gates hadn’t played football since high school when he decided to try out for the NFL after a two-year basketball career at Kent State. He originally wanted to play football and basketball at Michigan State, but then head coach Nick Saban wanted him to focus on football. Gates opted to go to Eastern Michigan and the College of the Sequoias before transferring to Kent State for his final two years.
Kent State career.
Playing for Stan Heath at Kent State, Gates helped the Flashes win their first MAC regular season championship at 17-1 and to the NCAA Tournament. Kent State reached the Elite Eight, upsetting no. 7 seed Oklahoma State, no. 2 seed Alabama, and no. 3 seed Pittsburgh. His senior season brought an AP All-American honorable mention award for averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He finished his career helping Kent State to a 54-16 record as they retired his jersey on February 27, 2010.
The NFL Hall of Fame ceremony will occur on Saturday, August 2, in Canton, Ohio.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.