Antonio Gates is finally in.
After missing the cut last year, Gates will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
The other members of the Class of 2025 are Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe (senior).
Gates never played college football despite initially enrolling at Michigan State with the hopes of playing basketball and football. He transferred to two schools before ending up at Kent State.
This is where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA tournament. He switched to football after graduation, signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
Little did we know when Gates entered the league that he would go on to be one of the best to play the sport and revolutionize the tight end position.
Gates finished his 16-year career, all with the Bolts, with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. His 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history.
Gates was a five-time All-Pro selection and made eight Pro Bowl teams.