Antonio Gates has advanced in his next attempt to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gates — who owns the record for most touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history (116) — was announced among a group of 50 modern-era nominees who advanced in the voting process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the news Wednesday.
The 50 person Hall of Fame Selection Committee will reduce the list to 25 Semifinalists in roughly four weeks. They will then vote again to create the list of 15 Finalists who will be discussed at the annual meeting ahead of Super Bowl LVIX before the class is announced in early 2025.
Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time Associated Press All-Pro selection, was a finalist in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 but did not make the cut.
Coming into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Bolts in 2003, Gates spent his entire career in the powder blue and finished his career with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns.
In addition to his touchdowns record, Gates' 39 touchdown receptions on third down are also the most in league history at tight end and tied with Hall of Fame WR Cris Carter for No. 3 overall. His 11,841 receiving yards are also No. 3 all-time among his position in NFL history.
Gates was a member of the NFL's All Decade Team (2000-09) and was also honored on the Chargers 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 2023, he became the 41st member enshrined into the Chargers Hall of Fame.
Over the course of his career, Gates registered eight seasons with eight-plus receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end and tied for No. 5 all-time.
Also among the nominees list was safety Rodney Harrison, who was a finalist for the 2024 class.
Drafted by the Chargers in 1994, Harrison spent nine seasons with the team and was a Pro Bowl selection twice during his tenure.
A two-time Super Bowl champion later in his career and two-time First-Team All-Pro, he helped set the modern standard for safeties across the league.
