6 Greatest Records Chargers TE Antonio Gates Has

As Chargers fans celebrate Antonio Gates on his 42nd birthday, check out some of the best records to know about one of the greatest Tight Ends in NFL history.

Chargers GOAT Tight End Antonio Gates may have one of the most unique paths to the NFL. As a college basketball player, Gates never played college football. Listed at Forward, he was told that he would not have been successful in the NBA which led to him pursuing a career in football where the rest is history. After a tryout with the Chargers, the former Kent State product signed with the team as an Undrafted Free Agent, ultimately becoming the greatest UDFA of all time.

After his rookie season, where he was an All-Pro 1st Team right out of the gates (no pun intended), it was clear that he was meant for the turf, not the hardwood. Interestingly, his basketball experience helped him hone his football skills. For instance, the 6’4, 255-lb could jump and maneuver around defenders at a high level to catch contested footballs throughout his illustrious career. Those days playing hoops were key in Gates becoming of the most unstoppable Tight Ends ever to play the game.

The Kent State product played a total of 236 NFL games before hanging up his cleats in 2018 with his legacy cemented. Gates is one of the most remarkable stories in sports history. While this college basketball player took a different path to the gridiron, he became one of the most consistent and productive football players ever. With plenty of Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition, Gates’ ability to separate from Linebackers and bully Defensive Backs made him a mismatch every time he stepped on the field with plenty of records to show for it.

Here are some of the greatest records to know about Antonio Gates:

BEST ACCOLADES

Via Pro Football Reference

It’s pretty clear the 6’4″ TE made the right choice playing football with a spot in Canton guaranteed

Antonio Gates’ HOF resume:

8x Pro Bowl
3x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
2000s NFL All-Decade Team
NFL TE career REC TD (116) leader
NFL UDFA career REC YDS (11,841) & REC TD (116) leader
Chargers career REC YDS (11,841) & REC TD (116) leader

NFL TE RECORDS

Antonio Gates will go down as one of the greatest TE’s ever to play the game

NFL Tight End records:

Career REC TD (116)
Seasons (11) of 7+ REC TD
Career games (21) of 2+ REC TD
Consecutive seasons (7) of 700+ REC YDS
Consecutive seasons (7) of 8+ REC TD
Consecutive games (9) of 1+ REC TD

CHARGERS RECORDS

The Chargers are grateful that the legend played his entire career for the franchise as he still owns plenty of records

Antonio Gates’ Chargers records:

Career REC YDS (11,841)
Career REC (955)
Career REC TD (116)
Seasons (13) of 500+ REC YDS
Career games (117) of 50+ REC YDS
Career games (21) of 2+ REC TD
Playoff REC (51)
Playoff REC YDS (540)
Playoff games (7) of 30+ REC YDS

REDZONE THREAT

No Tight End put as many points on the board as the Michigan native

Most career REC TD by a TE in NFL history:

1. Antonio Gates (116)

2. Tony Gonzalez (111)

3. Rob Gronkowski (92)

4. Jimmy Graham (85)

5. Jason Witten (74)

UNDRAFTED GOAT

Gates has a case to be considered the greatest Undrafted player ever

Most career REC YDS by an UDFA in NFL history:

1. Antonio Gates (11,841)

2. Rod Smith (11,389)

3. Wes Welker (9,924)

4. Drew Pearson (7,822)

LAC REC LEADER

It’s clear that number 85 was always tormenting defenses and impossible to stop

Most career REC in Chargers franchise history:

1. Antonio Gates (955)

2. Keenan Allen (730)^

3. Charlie Joiner (586)

4. Kellen Winslow Sr. (541)

5. LaDainian Tomlinson (530)

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

GATES IS A LEGENDARY TE

Antonio Gates' HOF resume:
- 8x Pro Bowl
- 3x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
- 2000s NFL All-Decade Team
- NFL TE career REC TD (116) leader
- NFL UDFA career REC YDS (11,841) & REC TD (116) leader
- #Chargers career REC YDS (11,841) & REC TD (116) leaderpic.twitter.com/UAutkFlGpX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022

Antonio Gates' NFL TE records:
- Career REC TD (116)
- Seasons (11) of 7+ REC TD
- Career GP (21) of 2+ REC TD
- Consecutive seasons (7) of 700+ REC YDS & 8+ REC TD
- Consecutive GP (9) of 1+ REC TDpic.twitter.com/mg5mv0JFvM
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022

Antonio Gates' #Chargers records:
- Career REC YDS (11,841), REC (955) & REC TD (116)
- Seasons (13) of 500+ REC YDS
- Playoff REC (51), REC YDS (540), & GP (7) of 30+ REC YDS
- GP of 50+ REC YDS (117) or 2+ REC TD (21)
- T-most TE season REC (89)pic.twitter.com/gg6fgIGoAm
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022

Most career REC TD by a TE in NFL history:
1. Antonio Gates (116)
2. Tony Gonzalez (111)
3. Rob Gronkowski (92)^
4. Jimmy Graham (85)^
5. Jason Witten (74)
pic.twitter.com/FukUtrYn3h
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022

Most career REC YDS by an UDFA in NFL history:
1. Antonio Gates (11,841)
2. Rod Smith (11,389)
3. Wes Welker (9,924)
4. Drew Pearson (7,822)pic.twitter.com/BOv7Nciup4
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022

Most career REC in #Chargers franchise history:
1. Antonio Gates (955)
2. Keenan Allen (730)^
3. Charlie Joiner (586)
4. Kellen Winslow Sr. (541)
5. LaDainian Tomlinson (530)pic.twitter.com/mdcCWblf4A
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022