A franchise great called it quits for the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this week, as tight end Antonio Gates announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday night. Gates, who did not play in 2019 after going unsigned. has not played in the league since the 2018 campaign. The 39-year-old's last season saw him catch 28 passes for 333 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The tight end spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Chargers, making the Pro Bowl eight times, but had no aspirations to attempt a return in 2020.
The 16-year veteran finishes with 955 career receptions, 11,841 receiving yards, and 116 touchdown receptions, which has him ranked first in all categories in Chargers franchise history. Gates released a statement to reveal the news, saying "I find it hard" to retire from the game he loves. He did show appreciation for how long he lasted in the game, especially all for one franchise, which is so rare in today's world of sports.
Gates finished with 89 touchdown catches thrown by quarterback Phillip Rivers, which is the most by a quarterback-tight end tandem in NFL history. He was drafted out of Kent State, where he played basketball, but ended up the leader in NFL history for touchdowns by a tight end. Meanwhile, he is just the 22nd player to reach 900 passes caught, as he is sits at 17th on the all-time receptions list, and third by tight ends. And that's where he will finish and where he is content with finishing, as he calls it a career from playing the game, but don't be surprise when he is around the game in some capacity in the near future.
The 16-year veteran finishes with 955 career receptions, 11,841 receiving yards, and 116 touchdown receptions, which has him ranked first in all categories in Chargers franchise history. Gates released a statement to reveal the news, saying "I find it hard" to retire from the game he loves. He did show appreciation for how long he lasted in the game, especially all for one franchise, which is so rare in today's world of sports.
Gates finished with 89 touchdown catches thrown by quarterback Phillip Rivers, which is the most by a quarterback-tight end tandem in NFL history. He was drafted out of Kent State, where he played basketball, but ended up the leader in NFL history for touchdowns by a tight end. Meanwhile, he is just the 22nd player to reach 900 passes caught, as he is sits at 17th on the all-time receptions list, and third by tight ends. And that's where he will finish and where he is content with finishing, as he calls it a career from playing the game, but don't be surprise when he is around the game in some capacity in the near future.
