Antonio Gates is headed to Canton, Ohio, this summer for his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Chargers will be traveling right along with him when they play in the annual Hall of Fame exhibition game against the Detroit Lions, the Hall announced on Wednesday.
Enshrinement week is set for July 31 to Aug. 3.
The Chargers’ preseason game against the Lions is scheduled for July 31 at 5 p.m. (PDT).
Fans can buy tickets starting Monday at 7 a.m. (PDT) at https://www.profootballhof.com/tickets/.
Gates, a tight end, holds franchise career records for receptions with 955, receiving yardage with 11,841 and touchdowns with 116 during a stellar 16-season career that began after the then-San Diego Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent basketball player from Kent State on May 2, 2003.
He retired after the 2018 season, having never playing a single down for another NFL team.
Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowl pick, will be the eighth Chargers player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining LaDainian Tomlinson (2017), Junior Seau (2015), Fred Dean (2008), Charlie Joiner (1996), Kellen Winslow (1995), Dan Fouts (1993), Ron Mix (1979) and Lance Alworth (1978).
Gates and fellow class of 2025 inductees Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe will be introduced to the crowd before the opening kickoff.
The Chargers last played in the Hall of Fame game in 1994, losing to the Atlanta Falcons, 21-17, The also played against the Green Bay Packers in 1980, but the game ended in a scoreless tie because of a severe thunderstorm with 5 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in the game.
The Lions last played in the Hall of Fame game in 1991, defeating the Denver Broncos, 14-3.
The remainder of the Chargers’ exhibition schedule will be announced at a later date.