NFL: Decorated Veterans Who Deserve a Super Bowl
Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback
Philip Rivers(17) celebrates a with tight end
Antonio Gates(85) after throwing a touchdown pass to him during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
If you polled a room of 100 people, you could likely count on one hand how many people leave Antonio Gates off of their list of the Top 10 tight ends of all-time. From undrafted in 2003 to still playing at 35 years old, Gates is as revered as they come.
His recent PED suspension hurts, but Antonio Gates‘ status as one of the game’s all-time greats is understood.
Gates has recorded just under 800 career receptions for more than 10,000 receiving yards. He also has 99 receiving touchdowns, which means he could conceivably enter rare territory in 2015.
According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, only one tight end in NFL history has at least 800 receptions, 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns: Tony Gonzalez.
Gates is 12 receptions and one touchdown away from joining Gonzalez in exclusive company. Even with a four-game suspension, it’s hard to imagine him failing to achieve the feat.
A pioneer at his position, Gates has helped revolutionized the NFL.
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