Antonio Gates First Ballot HOF Finalist, Not Selected

[jamrock]

Will be a nice kick off to the 2024 season when Gates goes in the HOF

[northerner]

greatest TE of Chargers history.

sucks they never won a championship.

believe it or not, there is serious competition from Kellen Winslow, Sr. He was THE original pass catching tight end in the NFL (in the 80's). With nods to Dave Casper and Russ Francis, who also come to mind, but Winslow was the first TE to basically become an extra WR. He had 5 TD's in a game against the raiders in 1981. He did not play as long as Gates, so his total career stats are not going to be better. The team also declined by 1986. Anyways, not looking for a debate (I love Gates as well), just pointing it out. I am sure there are some youtube clips on him.

For a number of years during, and after, his career, Winslow would have been a common answer as the NFL's best pass catching TE in history.

[DerwinBosa]

believe it or not, there is serious competition from Kellen Winslow, Sr. He was THE original pass catching tight end in the NFL (in the 80's). With nods to Dave Casper and Russ Francis, who also come to mind, but Winslow was the first TE to basically become an extra WR. He had 5 TD's in a game against the raiders in 1981. He did not play as long as Gates, so his total career stats are not going to be better. The team also declined by 1986. Anyways, not looking for a debate (I love Gates as well), just pointing it out. I am sure there are some youtube clips on him.

For a number of years during, and after, his career, Winslow would have been a common answer as the NFL's best pass catching TE in history.

Winslow made it to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team in 2019. Gates, retired by then, didn't. Junior Seau and Lance Alworth were the only other Chargers to make it. I personally thought LaDainian Tomlinson should have made it, too.

[northerner]

Winslow made it to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team in 2019. Gates, retired by then, didn't. Junior Seau and Lance Alworth were the only other Chargers to make it. I personally thought LaDainian Tomlinson should have made it, too.

interesting. thanks for the info. glad to know that i am not overhyping winslow just because he was on my childhood team (fouts, JJ, joiner, winslow, chandler).

[Bolt-O]

Class will be announced tonight!

[Bolt-O]

not good news

[Xenos]

Please let TMZ be wrong this once 🤞

[BigBad]

My guess is his PED suspension cost him first ballot.

https://www.nfl.com/news/antonio-gates-suspended-four-games-for-peds-0ap3000000499903

[Blastttoff]

I guess canton doesn’t want to set a precedence.

[jamrock]

Please let TMZ be wrong this once 🤞

That would be both shocking and terrible

[Xenos]

My guess is his PED suspension cost him first ballot.


https://www.nfl.com/news/antonio-gat...p3000000499903

There would be maybe 4 players in the HOF if they hold that against him.

[DerwinBosa]

Wow. I'm shocked.

I read earlier that Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers, and Devin Hester are getting in. Peppers is the only one I think is just as deserving as Gates.

I heard Patrick Willis and Andre Johnson are finally getting in. They've waited too long. Looks like Gates will, too.

Jahri Evans should have gotten in, too.