US EditionAntonio Gates inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame: Tight end never even played college football
CANTON, OHIO, AUG 2 – Antonio Gates set records with 116 touchdown receptions and eight Pro Bowl selections during a 16-year NFL career without playing college football, a first in Hall of Fame history.
- At Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Gates was enshrined on Saturday, becoming the first Hall of Famer without college football experience.
- Despite zero college football experience, Gates set up an NFL workout, went undrafted, and signed with the Chargers, after starring at Kent State University men's basketball team and reaching the Elite Eight in 2002.
- Gates finished his career ranking among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns, with 955 catches, 11,841 yards, and 116 scores over 16 seasons.
- In his acceptance speech, Gates grew emotional thanking Philip Rivers, stating `What we had on that football field was special.`
- Looking ahead, his record 116 touchdown receptions by a tight end highlights Gates' enduring legacy, as an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Antonio Gates makes history as first Pro Football Hall of Famer without college football experience
Antonio Gates' induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025 marks an unprecedented milestone: he is the first inductee in NFL history never to have played a single dow
Post Bulletin
Gates, Allen take unique paths to Canton
It's hard to be the first of anything when it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But when tight end Antonio Gates was inducted on Saturday afternoon, he became the first Hall of Famer who didn't play college football. Gates certainly took the odd route to football stardom, but he was immortalized along with wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, defensive end Jared Allen, and cornerback Eric Allen at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.…
From basketball to Canton: Antonio Gates, former Kent State star, enters Hall of Fame
CANTON, Ohio — Antonio Gates closed out Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony with a 23-minute speech that began with him saying he wouldn’t cry, but included several emotional moments.
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
Antonio Gates' path to Canton is one of a kind
It's hard to be the first of anything when it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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