Antonio Gates Jr. is a former professional football player. He attended college to play basketball at Kent State his junior and senior years after brief stints at Michigan State and Eastern Michigan University.
Gates was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing basketball at Kent State University. In 2015, he became the second tight end and ninth player overall to record 100 career touchdown receptions. Gates was a tight end for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers during his entire career in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a five-time All-Pro selection. The Chargers re-signed him in September 2018, and he went on to play in every regular and post-season game for the Chargers. As of 2021, he ranks seventh in career touchdown receptions, with 116, and leads all tight ends in NFL history. Gates is considered one of the best undrafted free agents in NFL history.
He retired on January 14, 2020, after 16 years with the Chargers. As of 2021, Gates is the Chargers' career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Gates appeared in the fourth episode of season one, and the final episode in season six of the hit comedy show, The League.