| Antonio Gates was born June 18, 1980 in Detroit | | | | Subsequently, this led him to Eastern Michigan |
| Michigan. Ever since Gates was a young child it | | | | University then two junior colleges until he finally |
| was obvious that he was going to be a great | | | | settled down at Kent State University in Ohio. |
| athlete in one sport or another. Standing at 6 foot | | | | After his college basketball career was over, NBA |
| 4 inches and weighing 260 pounds, he has all of | | | | scouts felt that at 6'4" he was not big enough to |
| the physical skills that a top notch NFL tight end | | | | make it in the league. In turn, he began to focus |
| could need. When you add this to the mental | | | | his energy on getting ready for the NFL. Nearly |
| aspect of his game, it is no wonder why many | | | | 20 teams attended his workout, and the San |
| people consider him to be the best tight end in | | | | Diego Chargers were so impressed that they |
| the game. | | | | signed him to a contract. |
| Gates is a bit different than the rest of the | | | | After a slow rookie season in 2004, Gates quickly |
| players that you see in the NFL. Before his rookie | | | | became an offensive threat. Throughout the next |
| season in the league, he had not played in an | | | | three seasons combined he caught 241 passes |
| organized football game since high school. Gates | | | | for 2,989 yards and 32 touchdowns. This was |
| decided that he wanted to go to Michigan State | | | | good enough to land him in the Pro Bowl each of |
| University to play both basketball and football, but | | | | these three years, and also establish himself as a |
| when he was told by then Coach Nick Saban that | | | | top offensive threat. For a guy that did not play |
| he could only play football he decided to transfer. | | | | college football, Gates is doing just fine in the NFL. |
