Legendary tight end Antonio Gates was denied entrance to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 2024.
The news came as a shock to those across the football universe.
Here is how social media reacted when they found out that Gates wasn’t going to Canton, OH this year.
Antonio Gates not being a first ballot is an absolute embarrassment, they should be ashamed.
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) February 9, 2024
Lost all faith in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s credibility, Antonio Gates deserved to be in the hall of fame today…
pic.twitter.com/Ju6h8Mu7Yr
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) February 9, 2024
Antonio Gates isn’t a 1st ballot HOFer???
Embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/rxWFKVZY13— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 9, 2024
How is Antonio Gates not a first ballot NFL Hall of Famer?
955 receptions (3rd among TE)
Atrocious from the committee. pic.twitter.com/agC5vWEljR
— Nick (@HolzSportsCo) February 9, 2024
Antonio Gates not being a first ballot Hall of Famer is an absolute travesty, and a downright embarrassment.
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) February 9, 2024
Devin Hester over Antonio Gates is a flat out joke. https://t.co/QuCZfeO9SV
— Ricky Henne (@RickyHenne) February 9, 2024
Antonio Gates should be in the Hall of Fame. Changed the way the position was played. Everyone that got in was deserving, but hard to understand 85 being left out.
— Jason Staley (@jstales7) February 9, 2024
Wait, Antonio Gates didn’t get in? Huh?
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 9, 2024
Leaving Antonio Gates out of the Hall of Fame but including Andre Johnson and Devin Hester is absolute insanity. Voters should be forced to explain their choice.
— Brentley Weissman (@Brentley12) February 9, 2024
Andre Johnson was a great player and all but Antonio Gates was significantly better at his position and scored 46 more career touchdowns, had more Pro Bowl and more All-Pro honors. I mean, what are we even doing here? pic.twitter.com/Khac58sjaB
— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) February 9, 2024
Antonio Gates should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. There aren’t five tight ends better in NFL history.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) February 9, 2024
BIGGEST Pro Football HALL of Fame SNUB OF ALL TIME: #Chargers legend Antonio Gates somehow did not make the HOF despite deserving to be a First Ballot tight end
– 8x Pro Bowler
– 5x All Pro
– HOF All-2000s Team
• 1st all time in touchdowns with 116
• Third all time in… pic.twitter.com/9Ehfp1SmHv— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 9, 2024
I am at a loss of words. Antonio Gates should easily have been a first ballot Hall of Famer. He should have been No.1 on that list, with a large gap between him and No.2. Absolutely disgusting by the Committee taking that title away from one of the best in NFL history.
— Tyler Lawrence (@LACMasterBolt) February 9, 2024