One of the NFL's greatest players was celebrated in style this past weekend.

Antonio Gates, a member of the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, was honored Saturday at Yaamava' Resort & Casino.

The Chargers Impact Fund teamed up with Yaamava' to hold the Inaugural Legacy of Impact Celebration, Honoring the Past and Impacting the Future, an event that also supported the Impact Fund's Rally for LA Wildfire Recovery Fund.

Firefighters, fire support staff and those affected by January's wildfires were also on hand and honored at the event.

But the special event served as an opportunity to celebrate Gates' incredible legacy on and off the field, all while helping a great cause.

"We're so grateful that he's here to represent the Chargers and help support to Impact Fund for the Rally for LA, our wildfire relief plan," Chargers Impact Fund Special Advisor Adriana Cox said. "He's an amazing human and individual, teammate, player. It's incredible to have him."

Guests arrived at the venue Saturday afternoon and mingled with food and drinks before the event commenced.

And when Gates took the stage, the 2025 the Hall of Famer received a loud ovation from the crowd.

Gates, who was announced as a member of the Class of 2025 in early February, spent some time answering questions and touching on topics such as making it in the Hall, former teammates and what he was most proud of.

Having the opportunity to talk to the crowd and just have the support from everybody in the building was something that meant a lot to Gates.

"It speaks volume in terms of the supporting cast and how people feel not only about myself, but about the organization," Gates said. "You never really know how people feel about you and what people think about me and the Chargers organization.

"To see people who constantly supported me throughout the years, it just speaks volumes," Gates added, "I'm very grateful to be able to say thank you to those people out here who supported me throughout my career."

Gates was then surprised with a celebratory gold jacket cake and champagne toast with the people in attendance, putting a bow on the celebratory afternoon before lining up to take photos with guests.

It was a special event, one that Vinh Aven, the Sponsorships Manager at Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said was a no brainer.

"Working with the Chargers Impact Fund, this is our first time being approached on a project like this," Aven said. "It's been amazing working with the team since conception to execution as well too. A lot of times, people think it's about wins and losses but really it's about the memories they make, the impact they have on others and lifting others up.

"That's something we were aligned on, envisioned and really happy everybody had a great time and we were able to celebrate the great career of Antonio Gates," Aven added.

Not to mention, the event was a unique experience to personally congratulate the Hall of Famer.

"Being able to be one of the first people to shake his hand and say, 'Congratulations, you're going to Canton, Ohio.' I think making memories like that, it's a once in a lifetime thing," Aven said. "It's something I think money can't buy. He's so generous with his time and wonderful with the fans."

The event was something that meant a lot to Gates as well.

In the celebration, Gates saw up close the impact he's made on and off the field.

"I think when he got on stage, he realized how much his career meant to people and the power he has to do good for the community," Cox said. "And to show fans, supporters and Chargers fans how grateful he is for that.

"It was just a really nice connection and moment between fans and players," Cox added.

Gates said as much in his final remarks to the crowd to wrap up the evening, as the legendary tight end felt honored to be a part of the celebration of his legacy.

"That's the thing about this platform, this is an opportunity for me to say thank you to the people who supported me, the people here, the true Charger fans," Gates said in his closing remarks.

"I can't thank you guys enough," he later continued. "I'm super happy that you've been supporting me, I'm super grateful. I will always be a Charger. It's people like you who make my job a lot easier.

"I can speak on behalf of myself and my teammates, the support is not unnoticed," Gates added. "We notice it, and we thank you all for it."