The past two months have been like a dream for Antonio Gates.

"It still really hasn't set in," a laughing Gates told Chargers.com. "I can't wrap my head around it all because it's been a lot going on."

"It's like heaven on Earth," he later added. "If I had to describe it in a way, I don't know what heaven is like, I got an assumption. But I think this is the closest thing you could get to it."

The legendary Chargers tight end was announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 in early February, a moment that forever etched his name into football history.

Gates, whose 116 touchdown catches are an NFL record for tight ends and seventh all-time, was a revolutionary player at a position that has become prominent today.

And now mere months away from being immortalized in Canton, Ohio, Gates had he's recently spent some time reflecting on his accomplishment and his special 16-year career.

"It's like the footsteps of your whole journey for the most part, the people that helped you along the way," Gates said. "To me, making the Hall of Fame is one thing, I think the journey is what makes it special.

"The things you had to go through, the countless friendships that you made, the people who supported you along the way," Gates added. "I can't say enough about those people because they're a major reason why I'm here today."

Gates said the people who helped him along the way have reached out in a massive way since he became a future Hall of Fame inductee.

Gates made sure to get back to everyone from former teammates, coaches and everyone in between to show his appreciation.

"You never really know what they think about you," Gates said. "I think to hear guys [say], 'Well deserved. Couldn't happen to a better person, couldn't happen to a better player.' It speaks volumes about what they feel about me."

"I appreciate those guys on so many different levels," Gates later added. "I can't say enough about what they did and they helped me get to this level. You don't do this on your own, I can tell you that. It's so many other people who helped me along the way."

One of those of course was legendary Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who surprised Gates with the news that he was heading to the Hall of Fame.

Gates said the moment came as a complete surprise to him, but couldn't have picked anyone better to share the news that his fellow Hall of Fame teammate.

"For him to do that, a guy that I played with between those lines, went to war with," Gates said about Tomlinson. "Wouldn't have no better player, no better person to do it with."

He then detailed everything that went through his mind as Tomlinson broke the news to him.

"I think it was just a surreal moment for the most part because you work so hard to reach a level in sports," Gates said. "Then you talk about the Hall of Fame, it's like a funnel, and you know how many people get out of the bottom of that funnel. It starts wide and gets really small.

"To be sitting in football heaven, words can't really describe it," Gates continued. "The presence of being in that moment, being in that situation. Like I said, for all those people that helped me along the way, thankful for those guys.

"Everything had to be right," Gates added. "Skill level, timing, coaches, the people around you, the team. Everything had to fall into place and I'm grateful to be on the other end of it."

Gates ranks as the Chargers all-time leader in career receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown catches (116) and is second all-time in regular season games played (220).

And he did it all after coming into the NFL with a unique journey that has been well-told over the years.

From the hardwood and helping lead Kent State to the Elite Eight to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gates' rare journey is something he said hopes continues to inspire others.

"To me the way I see it is that I got a chance to give people hope. People could dream if they come from the inner cities, another opportunity to do something," Gates said. "I think the biggest thing is that I'm able to impact others and it just so happened I used the platform of football to do that.

"That was always something I enjoyed doing," Gates continued. "I'm glad I'm able to be one of those official guys that made it to the Hall of Fame."

He later added: "Even with my kids, with their kids and generations of Gates families, they'll always remember, my great grandfather, my grandfather, whatever it may be, 'He's done some special things in this world and we should be proud of that.'"

Even with Canton still about four months away, Gates is not looking too far ahead trying to process everything. In fact, he joked he's still trying to process everything even now.

But when asked what he's looking forward to the most when August rolls around, Gates knew right away.

"The party," Gates said with a smile. "The party symbolizes joy, happiness, fun."

Gates said he is expecting to see many family members and friends, some he hasn't seen in a while, and is most excited to reconnect and interact with them.

It takes the help of a lot of people to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and Gates is looking forward to thanking them all in Canton for helping him reach football immortality.

"I get a chance to thank people and show my appreciation," Gates said. "I think that's always important when you're on the receiving end of everything, people supporting me.

He added: "Sometimes it's your turn to turn around and thank those people that showed up, that even the little things they did is very appreciated."