Antonio Gates is nearly to Canton.
The Chargers Legend – one of the most prolific players in NFL history – is one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.
The Hall of Fame announced the news Wednesday evening. The 2024 Class will be announced during Super Bowl weekend.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Gates was also a member of five Associated Press All-Pro teams and is a member of the NFL’s All Decade Team (2000-09). He was also honored on the Chargers 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
An undrafted free agent who joined the Bolts in 2003, Gates finished his career with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. He spent his entire 16-year career in powder blue.
Gates’ 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history, as are his 21 career multi-touchdown games. Gates’ 39 touchdown receptions on third down are also the most in league history at tight end and tied with Hall of Fame WR Cris Carter for No. 3 overall.
Over the course of his career, Gates registered eight seasons with eight-plus receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end and tied for No. 5 all-time.
Gates became the 41st member enshrined into the Chargers Hall of Fame earlier this month when he was honored during Week 14 against Denver.
“As I’ve said many times now, Antonio is not only one of the greatest Chargers to ever play the game, he’s one of the greatest players in NFL history,” Controlling Owner and Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos said in September. “That couldn’t be any truer today than it was at the time of his retirement. As the years have passed, and as the game has continued to evolve, it’s impossible not to notice the impact Antonio has had on the modern NFL and the way team’s utilize tight ends. Just as Kellen Winslow forever changed the position decades earlier, Antonio redefined what it meant to be a tight end in the 21st century. His contributions to our…
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