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From Detroit to Kent State to Philip Rivers connection, Antonio Gates cherishes HOF journey
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- From Detroit to Kent State to Philip Rivers connection, Antonio Gates cherishes HOF journey
CANTON — After revealing his bronze bust and taking the podium, Antonio Gates soaked in the love from fans, friends and family during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement on Aug. 2 .
"I know what you're trying to do," Gates said at Benson Stadium. "I ain't crying today."
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Oh, Gates did cry, eventually. He might possess the supernatural athleticism to be a former college basketball star turned NFL great, but he's still just a human.
The Detroit native, who first made national waves as a power forward on the Kent State men's basketball team , is the first player to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame having never played a down of college football.
Apparently, those college reps weren't needed. Gates is pro football's career leader in touchdown receptions by a tight end with 116. He spent all 16 seasons of his NFL career with the Chargers , from San Diego to their move to Los Angeles, and is the franchise's all-time receiving leader in catches, yards and touchdowns.
The emotions ran thick for Gates as he talked about his kids, his alma mater of Detroit Central High School and his former teammates, especially long-time Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers .
Antonio Gates gives his Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement speech, Aug. 2, 2025, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Gates caught his first career touchdown from Doug Flutie. He spent his first two seasons with Drew Brees as his primary QB.
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But it was Rivers whom he teamed up with to become one of football's best connections.
"What we had on that football field was special," Gates said to Rivers, who was in the crowd Saturday. "You weren't just the guy throwing the ball. You were the heartbeat of the offense. Your fire, your passion, your IQ was unmatched. We saw the game the same way. You trusted me and I trusted you. And that trust led to some of the best moments of my career. I always knew where that ball was going, Phil, and I always knew it was coming with purpose.
"Philip Rivers, it was an absolute pleasure having played with you."
Gates always tried to represent his hometown of Detroit, where he grew up playing basketball on the streets, using crates with the bottom cut out as hoops.
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His high school wasn't fancy. Its weight room was old. But a foundation was built there that stuck with him throughout his career, helped by teammates that remain close to him today.
"You had my back before anyone even knew my name," Gates said. "I just want y'all to know that I never forgot those days, never forgot where it all started. You helped build this hall of famer."
Gates love for basketball led him just 31 miles up the road from Canton. As a Golden Flash, Gates was a force as an undersized power forward.
"We battled together. We built something special," Gates said to his former Kent State teammates. "Those MAC championships, that Elite Eight run, how special was that? From the bottom of my heart, some of the (most fun) times in my life were at Kent State University."
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Antonio Gates undrafted to Hall of Fame: Antonio Gates in Pro Football Hall of Fame | Kent State basketball star becomes NFL legend
NBA dreams didn't pan out for Gates, but his 6-foot-4, 255-pound frame and athletic skills caught the eyes of NFL teams.
The Chargers took a chance on Gates, a former high school football star. Tight ends coach Tim Brewster belived Gates could become an All-Pro by his third year. He did it by his second.
Gates eventually became the 23rd undrafted free agent to make the hall of fame.
"Because of you, Coach Tim Brewster," Gates said, "NFL teams and NFL scouts would never look at college basketball players the same again."
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On X: @jweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Antonio Gates Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech
