Gates played basketball rather than football in college.[13][10] He originally enrolled atMichigan State University wanting to play football under then-coachNick Saban as well as basketball under coachTom Izzo. Upon enrolling, he learned that Saban wanted him to play only football.[14] Moreover, the coach wanted to move him to defense as adefensive end orlinebacker.[11] Gates then chose to pursue playing basketball by transferring toEastern Michigan University. He played there part of a season before transferring to theCollege of the Sequoias, a junior college in California, to focus on academics. Recruited byStan Heath, Gates transferred toKent State University in northeastern Ohio.[12]
As a member of the Golden Flashes, Gates played two seasons aspower forward. In his junior season he averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.[15] His junior season his team won its first regular seasonMid-American Conference (MAC) championship in school history after finishing the regular season with a 24–5 overall record with a 17–1 record in the MAC.[16][17] Gates helped the Golden Flashes win their second consecutive MAC tournament and earn its resulting berth in the2002 NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, he gave crucial performances that helped Kent State reach theElite Eight as a 10 seed by upsetting 7 seed Oklahoma State (69–61), 2 seed Alabama (71–58) and 3 seed Pittsburgh (78–73).[18] He was named second-team All-MAC for the 2002 season.[19]
As a senior, Gates received honorable mentionAll-American honors from theAssociated Press after averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He finished with a record of 54–16 in two years of playing.[20] He also earned first-team All-MAC recognition in 2003.[19]
His jersey number, 44, was retired on February 27, 2010, making him just the fourth Golden Flash to receive the honor.[21]
After being told by scouts that he was too much of a "tweener" to make theNBA, Gates (6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m)) arranged a workout in front ofNFL scouts. Despite never having played college football,[22] as many as 19 teams were believed to have contacted Gates about a tryout. Gates chose to work out first for the San Diego Chargers. Recognizing his potential, the Chargers immediately signed him to a contract as anundrafted free agent.
Lost in the disappointment of San Diego's league-worst 4–12 record was Gates' rise from third string to starter.[23] He made his first catch in week 4 against theOakland Raiders, scored his first touchdown in week 10 against theMinnesota Vikings, and enjoyed his first 100-yard receiving game (117 yards) against theGreen Bay Packers in week 15.[24] Gates caught 24 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.[25] His 16.2 yards per reception were the highest of his career.[9]
Gates started the 2004 season strong with eight receptions for 123 receiving yards in a 27–20 victory over theHouston Texans.[26] In week 5, he had two receiving touchdowns in a 34–21 victory over theJacksonville Jaguars.[27] In week 8, against theOakland Raiders, he had another game with two receiving touchdowns in the 42–14 victory.[28] In the following game, he recorded three receiving touchdowns in a 43–17 victory over theNew Orleans Saints.[29] Gates had his third consecutive game finding the endzone in the next game against the Oakland Raiders with an eight-catch, 101-yard day in the 23–17 victory.[30] In the following game, against theKansas City Chiefs, he had two receiving touchdowns in the 34–31 victory.[31] A preferred target of quarterbackDrew Brees, Gates finished his second season in the NFL with 81 receptions for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.[32]
On December 19, Gates tied the NFL single season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end (12) in a 21–0 win over theCleveland Browns.[33] He went on to break this record in an overtime loss to theIndianapolis Colts on December 26.[34]
On August 23, 2005, after holding out for a contract extension, Gates signed a six-year deal worth up to $24 million with the San Diego Chargers.[38] Because of his holdout, Gates was suspended for one game–the home opener against theDallas Cowboys, a loss.[39] In week 8, against theKansas City Chiefs, he had ten receptions for 145 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 28–20 victory.[40] In the following game, he had eight receptions for 132 receiving yards in the 31–26 victory over theNew York Jets.[41] In week 14, he had 13 receptions for 123 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 23–21 loss to theMiami Dolphins.[42]
Gates went on to have another stellar season, catching 89 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, but the Chargers missed the playoffs by a single win.[43][44] He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors.[45][46]
Gates had a relatively quiet start to the season, but he finished the year strongly and ended up with 924 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.[47] He caught two touchdown passes on December 10 in a 48–20 victory theDenver Broncos to help the Chargers clinch their division.[48]
Gates started off the 2007 season with nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown in the 14–3 victory over theChicago Bears.[53] In week 3, he had 11 receptions for 113 receiving yards against theGreen Bay Packers.[54] In week 5, against theDenver Broncos, he had seven receptions for 113 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 41–3 victory.[55] In week 8 against theHouston Texans and in week 12 against theBaltimore Ravens, he had two receiving touchdowns in each game.[56][57]
For his 2007 season, Gates was selected to the Pro Bowl.[58] During the season, he caught 75 passes for 984 yards and nine touchdowns.[59] He was once again a key factor during the Chargers' 11–5 campaign, but not during the playoffs. Gates dislocated a toe on his right foot just before the postseason, which slowed him down during the Chargers' playoff run.[60]
Gates was not the only Chargers star player injured: bothLaDainian Tomlinson andPhilip Rivers had leg injuries which hindered the Chargers' chances of reaching the Super Bowl. However, the Chargers did eventually play in theAFC Championship, which they lost 21–12 to theNew England Patriots.[61]
Gates said he was leaning toward having surgery to repair a dislocated left big toe that slowed his performance during the2007–08 NFL playoffs, but was undecided on whether to have surgery or not, "There is higher chance I'm going to have surgery". Gates also pulled out of his fifth Pro Bowl selection[62] because of his injuries alongside his teammate LaDainian Tomlinson. Gates finished the season with 60 receptions for 704 yards and eight touchdowns.[63]
On February 23, 2008, Gates said he would have foot surgery to fix the injury that had slowed him in the final part of the season.[64] He would face a 4–6 month recovery time. Gates seemed questionable for week 1 and even sounded worried about his status for the opening day of the2008 season; however, he ended up playing every game despite complaints that his toe was bothering him during the first half of the season.[citation needed]
In week 4, against thePittsburgh Steelers, Gates had nine receptions for 124 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 38–28 loss.[65] In week 12, against theKansas City Chiefs, he had seven receptions for 118 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 43–14 victory.[66] In the following game, he had a season-high 167 receiving yards on eight receptions in the 30–23 victory over theCleveland Browns.[67] He closed the season out with four consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Finally healthy after consecutive injury-plagued seasons, Gates enjoyed the most productive year of his career. He caught 79 passes for a career-high 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns.[68] He was named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl.[69]
The team finished the year with 13 wins, one of the best records of the year.[70] However, they were eliminated in their first postseason game by theNew York Jets in theDivisional Round.[71]
Gates began the2010 season by signing a five-year, $36 million contract with $20 million guaranteed.[72] In week 2, against theJacksonville Jaguars, he recorded two receiving touchdowns in the 38–13 victory.[73] In week 4, against theArizona Cardinals, he had seven receptions for 144 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 41–10 victory.[74] In the first nine games of the 2010 season, he had 40 receptions and nine touchdowns.[75]
Despite being limited by foot injuries throughout the second half of the 2010 season, Gates earned aPro Bowl selection for his seventh consecutive year; however, as a result of his lingering injuries, Gates did not participate in the game.[76][77][78] He was ranked 22nd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[79]
Gates tried to play through his chronic foot problems but was forced to sit out Weeks 3–5.[80][81] He came back after the bye week and started every game the rest of the way. In week 14, against theBuffalo Bills, he had two receiving touchdowns in the 37–10 victory.[82] He finished with more than 60 catches (64) for the seventh time in his career. He also scored seven touchdowns and was voted into his eighth Pro Bowl.[83][84] Gates became the Chargers' all-time receptions leader on a six-yard catch on a fourth-and-5, early in the fourth quarter againstDetroit. It was his 587th career catch, surpassingCharlie Joiner's 586.[85]
In week 6, Gates had two receiving touchdowns in a 35–24 loss to theDenver Broncos, on a night where the Chargers held a 24–0 halftime lead.[86] Gates had another record-breaking season, becoming the fifth tight end in NFL history with 600 career catches and runner-up for most touchdowns in Chargers franchise history with 83.[citation needed] The tight end and his quarterback Philip Rivers connected for a total of 56 touchdown catches, the most out of any quarterback-tight end combination in the NFL.[citation needed] He was ranked 73rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[87]
Gates had two games on the season going over the 100-yard mark, week 2 against thePhiladelphia Eagles and week 4 against theDallas Cowboys.[88][89] played all 16 games for the first time since 2009, finishing with 70 receptions (77) for the fourth time in his career. However, Gates only scored four touchdowns, his fewest since his rookie season in 2003.[90]
In week 2, against theSeattle Seahawks, Gates had three receiving touchdowns in the 30–21 victory.[91] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against Seattle.[92] Gates passedLance Alworth to become the Chargers' career leader in receiving yards in week 7 against theDenver Broncos.[93] In the season's final game against theKansas City Chiefs, he became the fourth tight end in NFL history to surpass 10,000 yards in career receiving yards.[a] He finished the season with 12 touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in league history to catch 12 or more touchdowns in a season at age 34.[b] His teammates voted him the Chargers' Offensive Player of the Year[95] and he was invited as an alternate for thePro Bowl, but declined.[96] He was ranked 52nd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2015.[97]
On July 2, 2015, it was announced that Gates would be suspended for the first four games of the2015 season for violating the NFL's rules onperformance enhancing drugs (PEDs).[98] On October 12, 2015, against thePittsburgh Steelers in his first game back after from a four-game suspension, Gates scored his 100th and 101st career touchdown receptions.[99] He finished the season with 630 yards and five touchdowns on 56 receptions.[100] On March 9, 2016, Gates signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Chargers.[101]
Gates played in 14 games in 2016, starting nine. The emergence of rookie tight end Hunter Henry affected Gates's production.[102] He caught 53 passes for 538 yards and scored seven touchdowns. His 10.3 yards per reception and 57% completion percentage were the lowest of his career.[103]
In week 2, against theMiami Dolphins, he caught his 112th career touchdown pass, which set a new NFL record for most touchdowns as a tight end.[104] Following the emergence of second-year tight endHunter Henry as a starter, Gates only started four games and finished with 30 receptions for a career-low 316 yards and three touchdowns.[105]
On April 27, 2018, the Chargers informed Gates they would not be bringing him back for the 2018 season.[106]
On September 2, 2018, Gates re-signed with theLos Angeles Chargers following an injury to Hunter Henry.[107] In week 4, against theSan Francisco 49ers, he scored his first receiving touchdown of the season.[108] He finished the 2018 season with 28 receptions for 333 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 16 games and one start.[109]
Gates announced his retirement on January 14, 2020.[111] He ended his career with a record 116 touchdown catches by a tight end, including 89 thrown by Rivers for the most ever by a quarterback–tight end duo at the time.[112] He also finished as the Chargers' franchise leader in receptions (955) and receiving yards (11,841).[113]
In 2020, Gates announced he was joining theLos Angeles Chargers front office as Legends Ambassador.[114]
