Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers laughs and gestures during warmups for the game against the Washington Redskins on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - Legendary Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has officially reached football immortality.
During the NFL honors, which airs on FOX 11 at 9 p.m. PT on February 6, Gates was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Longtime teammate and fellow Bolts legend LaDainian Tomlinson helped welcome Gates into Canton, Ohio, during the Class of 2025 induction announcement.
"My teammate – who went from undrafted free agent to as great a tight end the game has ever seen," Tomlinson said when he made the announcement.
Like Tomlinson said, Gates is considered one of the greatest tight end in league history. The former Kent State basketball player was named NFL All-Pro three times and made the Pro Bowl eight times in his 16-year career – all with the Chargers (14 in San Diego and 2 in Los Angeles).