Former Chargers TE Antonio Gates announced Tuesday he is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons.
— Antonio Gates (@AntonioGates85) January 14, 2020
Gates played his entire career with the Chargers, who also announced his retirement on their social media.
Antonio Gates calls it a career.
GOAT, period. pic.twitter.com/epugVtD5ep
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) January 14, 2020
Gates was one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history and has a strong chance at being a first-ballot Hall of Fame-inductee when he is first eligible.
His basketball background also changed the way the NFL looked at the tight end position and created a hoops-to-gridiron pipeline in the past couple of decades.
Gates, 39, signed on with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State back in 2003 and has spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the team.
Gates’ final season was in 2018 with the Chargers. He did not play at all during the 2019 season at the age of 39.
Over the course of his career, Gates caught 955 passes for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. He ranks 14th all-time for touchdowns and 17th all-time for receptions. Gates was also named to eight Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro.
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