| Antonio Gates was born June 18, 1980 in | | | | Michigan University then two junior colleges |
| Detroit Michigan. Ever since Gates was a | | | | until he finally settled down at Kent State |
| young child it was obvious that he was going | | | | University in Ohio. After his college |
| to be a great athlete in one sport or | | | | basketball career was over, NBA scouts felt |
| another. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and | | | | that at 6'4" he was not big enough to make it |
| weighing 260 pounds, he has all of the | | | | in the league. In turn, he began to focus his |
| physical skills that a top notch NFL tight | | | | energy on getting ready for the NFL. Nearly |
| end could need. When you add this to the | | | | 20 teams attended his workout, and the San |
| mental aspect of his game, it is no wonder | | | | Diego Chargers were so impressed that they |
| why many people consider him to be the best | | | | signed him to a contract. After a slow rookie |
| tight end in the game. Gates is a bit | | | | season in 2004, Gates quickly became an |
| different than the rest of the players that | | | | offensive threat. Throughout the next three |
| you see in the NFL. Before his rookie season | | | | seasons combined he caught 241 passes for |
| in the league, he had not played in an | | | | 2,989 yards and 32 touchdowns. This was good |
| organized football game since high school. | | | | enough to land him in the Pro Bowl each of |
| Gates decided that he wanted to go to | | | | these three years, and also establish himself |
| Michigan State University to play both | | | | as a top offensive threat. For a guy that did |
| basketball and football, but when he was told | | | | not play college football, Gates is doing |
| by then Coach Nick Saban that he could only | | | | just fine in the NFL. |
| play football he decided to transfer. | | | | |
| Subsequently, this led him to Eastern | | | | Bob writes for and MVP ProShop. |