Antonio Gates is headed to Canton.
The legendary Chargers tight end was announced Thursday night as a member of the Class of 2025 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Here are five things to know about Gates:
1. The NFL's all-time TD leader for tight ends
Gates scored a monumental amount of touchdowns over the years as he found the end zone 116 times in his career.
That total ranks seventh in NFL history and is also the NFL's all-time mark for a tight end. Gates set the record in Week 1 of the 2017 season.
Gates also holds the NFL record for multi-touchdown games by a tight end with 21.
Gates was consistent, too, notching eight seasons with eight-plus receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end and tied for fifth all-time.
And if you're wondering which ones were Gates' favorite, he ranked his five favorite touchdowns in December of 2023.
Gates is the 10th tight end to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, a group that also includes Chargers legend Kellen Winslow.
2. A Chargers legend
Gates is one of the most iconic players in Chargers history.
He played 236 total games for the Bolts, which ranks second all-time in franchise history.
Gates also set plenty of records, too, as he holds all-time Chargers records with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and those 116 touchdowns.
Gates is a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team 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.
He is also the 12th person associated with the Chargers to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a group that includes Dan Fouts, Junior Seau, LaDainian Tomlinson, Winslow and Don Coryell.
3. An undrafted Hall of Famer
Gates is on the short list of the best tight ends but is also among the game's greatest players who did not get drafted.
A basketball player in college, Gates helped lead Kent State to the 2002 Elite Eight before he gave football a try and joined the Bolts as an undrafted free agent.
Gates now joins a select group as he is the 23rd member of the Hall of Fame who wasn't drafted.
According to the Hall of Fame, through the Class of 2024 there were actually more undrafted free agents (22) than overall No. 1 draft picks (15) in Canton.
Chargers Legend Antonio Gates' 116 career touchdown receptions ranks No. 1 all-time among tight ends, with the Bolts holding a 53-39 record when Gates found the endzone. Take a look back at each score from his legendary career.
Touchdown #1 | November 9, 2003 vs Minnesota | Passer: Doug Flutie
Touchdown #2 | November 30, 2003 vs Kansas City | Passer: Doug Flutie
Touchdown #3 | October 3, 2004 vs Tennessee | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #4 | October 10, 2004 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #5 | October 10, 2004 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #6 | October 31, 2004 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #7 | October 31, 2004 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #8 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #9 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #10 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #11 | November 21, 2004 at Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #12 | November 28, 2004 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #13 | November 28, 2004 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #14 | December 19, 2004 at Cleveland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #15 | December 26, 2004 at Indianapolis | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #16 | September 25, 2005 vs New York Giants | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #17 | October 10, 2005 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #18 | October 23, 2005 at Philadelphia | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #19 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #20 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #21 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #22 | November 20, 2005 vs Buffalo | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #23 | December 4, 2005 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #24 | December 11, 2005 vs Miami | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #25 | December 24, 2005 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #26 | September 11, 2006 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #27 | October 8, 2006 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #28 | October 15, 2006 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #29 | October 22, 2006 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #30 | November 26, 2006 vs Oakland | Passer: LaDainian Tomlinson
Touchdown #31 | December 3, 2006 at Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #32 | December 10, 2006 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #33 | December 10, 2006 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #34 | December 31, 2006 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #35 | September 9, 2007 vs Chicago | Passer: LaDainian Tomlinson
Touchdown #36 | September 16, 2007 at New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #37 | October 7, 2007 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #38 | October 28, 2007 vs Houston | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #39 | October 28, 2007 vs Houston | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #40 | November 18, 2007 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #41 | November 25, 2007 vs Baltimore | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #42 | November 25, 2007 vs Baltimore | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #43 | December 9, 2007 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #44 | September 7, 2008 vs Carolina | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #45 | September 22, 2008 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #46 | September 28, 2008 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #47 | October 12, 2008 vs New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #48 | October 26, 2008 vs New Orleans in London | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #49 | November 9, 2008 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #50 | December 21, 2008 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #51 | December 21, 2008 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #52 | October 4, 2009 at Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #53 | October 4, 2009 at Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #54 | November 29, 2009 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #55 | November 29, 2009 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #56 | December 13, 2009 at Dallas | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #57 | December 20, 2009 vs Cincinnati | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #58 | December 25, 2009 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #59 | January 3, 2010 vs Washington | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #60 | September 13, 2010 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #61 | September 19, 2010 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #62 | September 19, 2010 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #63 | September 26, 2010 at Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #64 | October 3, 2010 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #65 | October 3, 2010 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #66 | October 10, 2010 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #67 | October 24, 2010 vs New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #68 | October 31, 2010 vs Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #69 | December 5, 2010 vs Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #70 | October 23, 2011 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #71 | November 6, 2011 vs Green Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #72 | November 20, 2011 at Chicago | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #73 | November 27, 2011 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #74 | December 11, 2011 vs Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #75 | December 11, 2011 vs Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #76 | January 1, 2012 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #77 | October 15, 2012 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #78 | October 15, 2012 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #79 | November 1, 2012 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #80 | November 11, 2012 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #81 | December 16, 2012 vs Carolina | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #82 | December 23, 2012 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #83 | December 30, 2012 vs Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #84 | September 22, 2013 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #85 | September 29, 2013 vs Dallas | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #86 | November 17, 2013 at Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #87 | December 29, 2013 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #88 | September 14, 2014 vs Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #89 | September 14, 2014 vs Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #91 | October 5, 2014 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #92 | October 5, 2014 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #93 | October 12, 2014 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #94 | October 19, 2014 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #95 | October 23, 2014 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #96 | October 23, 2014 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #97 | December 14, 2014 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #98 | December 20, 2014 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #99 | December 20, 2014 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #100 | October 12, 2015 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #101 | October 12, 2015 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #102 | November 29, 2015 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #103 | November 29, 2015 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #104 | January 3, 2016 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #105 | September 18, 2016 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #106 | October 9, 2016 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #107 | October 30, 2016 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #108 | November 6, 2016 vs Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #109 | November 13, 2016 vs Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #110 | December 24, 2016 at Cleveland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #111 | January 1, 2017 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #112 | September 17, 2017 vs Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers | SETS NFL RECORD FOR TOUCHDOWNS BY A TIGHT END
Touchdown #113 | December 16, 2017 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #114 | December 24, 2017 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #115 | September 30, 2018 vs San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #116 | November 18, 2018 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
4. Clutch on 3rd downs & in red zone
In addition to his tight end touchdown record, Gates was also notoriously clutch on third downs.
He caught 39 career touchdown receptions on third down, which are the most in league history at tight end and tied with Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter for No. 3 overall.
His 11,841 receiving yards are also No. 3 all-time among his position in NFL history.
Gates also tallied 93 red-zone touchdown catches from the 20-yard line and in. For reference, those 93 scores would rank 14th all-time on their own.
And those 93 red-zone touchdowns are one more than legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski had in his entire career.
5. Caught TDs from 4 different players
Gates racked up a massive amount of touchdowns by playing with two of the top quarterbacks in NFL history in Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.
Rivers and Gates connected for 89 touchdowns over the years, good for the third-most of any connection in NFL history.
Brees, meanwhile, tossed 23 of them to Gates.
But can you name the other two players to throw Gates a touchdown?
Gates actually caught his first two touchdown passes from Doug Flutie during the 2003 season.
And Tomlinson actually threw a pair of scores to Gates, too, with one in each of the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career. Gates recorded 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns throughout his time with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
