Antonio Gates is being inducted into the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, making history in the process.

Antonio Gates has made history. On Saturday, the 45-year-old became the first player never to have played college football to be inducted into the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After 16 seasons with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers, with 116 touchdowns, eight Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro nominations, he now has a bust in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Gates had played basketball successfully during his college days, but NBA scouts were unable to place him in any position, so he offered NFL scouts a tryout.

Although he did not play football during his time at university, a total of 19 teams announced that they wanted to see him train on a trial basis.

Gates ended up with the Chargers, who signed him as a free agent in 2003 and employed him until 2018.

Gates thanks former coach

In his acceptance speech, he said: “Switching to a different sport can be a life-changing experience. The unexpected opportunities are often the most powerful because they can completely reorient your life – if you’re willing to take that chance.”

Gates took the opportunity to thank Tim Brewster in particular. The former Chargers tight end coach had once watched him play basketball and encouraged him to become an All-Pro tight end within three years.

In his nearly 24-minute speech, Gates also encouraged those who want to escape street gangs, violence, or drugs, describing himself as “living proof” that anything is possible if you “stay disciplined and on the right path, have heart, work hard, and never stop believing.”

Gates thanks former quarterback Rivers

He also expressed special thanks to his long-time quarterback: “Philip Rivers, what we had on the football field was special. You weren’t just someone who threw the ball. You were the heart of the offense. Your fire, your passion, your IQ were unmatched.“

He continued: ”You saw the game the same way I did. You trusted me and I trusted you, and that trust led to some of the best moments of my career,“ Gates added. ”I always knew where the ball was going to go. Philip Rivers, it has been a great pleasure playing with you.”

The Rivers/Gates duo can look back on 89 touchdowns together, the second-most by a quarterback-tight end duo in league history.

Rivers moved by words

Rivers was very moved by his teammate’s words and told Chargers.com afterwards: “He did a great job. What made him and me emotional was that he mentioned all his teammates by name. There were so many teammates, and it’s the people that make it so special.”

Rivers added: “Our friendship, the trust we built, was special. I feel like this is a special ending to his story. He finally wrote the last little chapter of his book.”