Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates holds up a jacket as he is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame during halftime in an NFL football game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates stands as he is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame during halftime in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates poses as he is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame during halftime in an NFL football game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates speaks as he is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame during halftime in an NFL football game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates speaks as he is inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame during halftime in an NFL football game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Antonio Gates reacts on the sidelines during the game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
It’s Christmas time for fans beforer the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 before the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Children sing ahpp=y birthday to Los Angeles Chargers center Will Clapp #76 as he signs autographs before thegame at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley before the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack #52 hits Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson #3 ass he passes the ball in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley argues a call with referee Clete Blakeman #34 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis #43 celebrates his interception with Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. #26 against the Denver Broncos in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley #25 is stopped by Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 and Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 on a short run in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson #3 makes the pass as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks #6 hits him in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 is hit by Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 top and Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 after the catch in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson #3 passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 passes the ball under pressure by Denver Broncos defenders in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton picks up the ball after sacking Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 was ruled down on the play.(Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 stops Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Guyton #15 after the catch in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis #12 is taken down by Denver Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell #32 on a kick return in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley walks off the field after arguing a call with referee Clete Blakeman #34 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell #32 celebrates after stopping Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis #12 on a kick return in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
b882 celebrate his touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers fans cheer after a touchdown catch by Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman #82 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett #7 is unable to make the touchdown catch on 4th down as Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 defends in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 makes the first down catch as Denver Broncos cornerback Fabian Moreau #23 defends in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler #30 is taken down by Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 and Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 on a short run in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian #29 tries to pull down Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 as he passes the ball in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian #29 tries to bring down Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 as he passes the ball in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. #19 runs past Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor #36 for a short gain in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 with his right hand in his hoody runs off the field after the 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis #43 and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. #3 stop Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams #33 on a run in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis #43 celebrates his interception of a Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson #3 pass in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen #99 hits Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick #2 as he passes the ball in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler #30 breaks free from Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian #29 after the catch in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 makes the first down catch in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Fabian Moreau #23 in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston #1 is taken down by from left Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell #47, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II #2 and Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 get ready to enter the huddle and would later injure his right index finger against the Denver Broncos in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49, Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons #31 and Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen #99 celebrate sacking Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. #26 brings down Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton #14 after the catch in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke #6 hits Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler #30 on a short run in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell #47 breaks up a pass intended fro Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 in front go Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton #49 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 is unable to make the catch as Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II #2 defends in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 stand on the sidelines in a hoody after injuring his right index finger against the Denver Broncos in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick #2 rolls out under pressure from Denver Broncos in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell #32, Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis #27 and Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss #37 celebrate after stopping Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis #12 on a kick return in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian #29 breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett #7 in the first half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD – It undoubtedly wasn’t planned that way; after all, assembling the alumni is seldom possible on short notice. But when things aren’t going well in the present, revisiting the past usually works.
Thus, on an afternoon that Justin Herbert suffered a finger injury and the Chargers proceeded to play a stinker of an offensive game – and likely play themselves out of playoff contention – in a 24-7 loss to Denver, “Legends Weekend” featuring Antonio Gates was an effective diversion.
Gates entered the team’s Hall of Fame at halftime, and his No. 85 presumably will be retired at some point as well along with the six numbers the team currently displays at home games: Lance Alworth’s 19, Dan Fouts’ 14, Junior Seau’s 55, LaDainian Tomlinson’s 21, Charlie Joiner’s 18 and Kellen Winslow’s 80.
And maybe Sunday’s ceremony was just a warmup. Gates, in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, was one of 25 semifinalists announced a week and a half ago. The final selections will be announced Feb. 8, and while the video board’s “Next stop Canton” message might or might not be accurate immediately, it seems a fait accompli that Gates, who played all 16 of his NFL seasons with this franchise in San Diego and L.A., will eventually don that yellow blazer.
The crazy thing? While all of those accomplishments – five times All-Pro, eight visits to the Pro Bowl, NFL tight end records for receiving touchdowns (116), multi-touchdown games (21), touchdown catches on third down (39) and seasons of eight touchdown catches or more (eight out of 16) – put him on Canton’s doorstep, he originally had his eyes on another goal.
“Some of those guys who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they wanted to be Pro Football Hall of Famers when they was 14 years old,” he said Sunday. “I wanted to go to the NBA.”
Gates was a power forward on a Kent State basketball team that had a higher profile than the school’s football team. In his junior year, after he’d transferred from Eastern Michigan, the Golden Flashes reached the Elite Eight as a No. 10 seed, losing to Indiana in a regional final. But while he averaged 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds for his college career, 6-foot-3 power forwards don’t translate well to the NBA. NFL scouts, however, were interested.
“I had no interest in football and the NFL,” he said. “But the passion (from the league’s talent evaluators) was so overwhelming … It just felt like that was the right choice for me. And I didn’t know why. I couldn’t put my finger on it.”
Maybe there’s this: Instead of having to battle 6-9 or 6-10 guys on the hardwood, there was the chance to outjump and outreach – and abuse – 6-foot or 5-11 defensive backs. Tim Brewster, now on UNC Charlotte’s staff but then the San Diego Chargers’ tight ends coach, was particularly interested, and after the Chargers signed Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003, the rest was history. He and Tony Gonzalez, inducted into the Hall in 2019, were in the first vanguard of converted basketball players who revolutionized the tight end position.
“It wasn’t a blueprint” when the NFL scouts came around, Gates said. “It wasn’t like guys were doing it. And I was just like, ‘Man, there’s something about what this (scout’s) making me feel like, I need to give this thing a shot.’ And I went back and forth with my father, went back and forth with my close friends, and I was just like, ‘Man, I don’t know.’ I had so much skin in the game with the game of basketball … it wasn’t my true belief that I couldn’t make the NBA.”
But, he added, “It just felt right.”
As Gates spoke to the crowd at halftime Sunday, surrounded by former teammates – including the quarterback he caught the vast majority of his passes from, Philip Rivers – emotions and memories caught up with him.
“It’s almost like the roles reverse in a crazy kind of way,” he said. “Although you’re the one that’s receiving all the praise and the honor, it feels like it’s your turn to thank the ones who helped you flourish to that level. And that’s kind of how I feel when I see so many guys and they meant so much to me, whether or not they played a role, major or minor.
“Everybody’s talking about me, but I’m like, ‘Wait, I need to think this dude. Oh man, I need to thank this dude over here too.’”
I asked him if the memories were all in a jumble or if specific occasions stood out. A combination of both, he said.
“You get a chance to think about to the championship moments that we had because we didn’t win a Super Bowl, but it was times where we were AFC West champions,” he said. “It was times we would be picked to win consistently. And then you think about the times that you had to try, like trial and error, the times you struggle. And I think through it all, you think about how we stayed together. And that’s the whole journey.
“You know, we stayed together in tough times. We stayed together in good times. And I think that’s what (got them to) this day, is that we fought through different times and we stayed together collectively.”
That is a lesson the current Chargers might find important, after Sunday’s loss dropped them to 5-8 and likely out of the playoff picture with four games left.
Gates also felt it was important to salute San Diego, where he played 14 of his 16 seasons, caught 897 of his 955 career receptions and scored 111 of his 116 touchdowns.
“They are the ones who embraced me first at 22 years old,” he said. “I wouldn’t be standing here today without the support of the city of San Diego. And I think that’s important to acknowledge the ones who started with you from the beginning.
“One thing I appreciate the most is that whether we won or lost, they still supported number 85 and the Chargers. And … that’s my second home.”
But there were plenty of 85 jerseys in the announced crowd of 70,240 Sunday at SoFi, and it’s probably safe to say Gates is beloved in two cities.
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