Over this season, we have taken a trip down memory lane to revisit past wins over an upcoming opponent. We're switching things up this week as the last time Antonio gates played the Panthers he tied the Chargers record for most touchdown receptions in team history. With Gates approaching the record for most touchdowns ever by a tight end, here is a look back at some of his prolific record-breaking moments.
An unknown his rookie season, Gates burst onto the scene in his second year hauling in 13 touchdowns which at the time was the most ever by a tight end in a single season. It would be seven years before he broke another record, but after that they fell in a flurry. In 2011 he passed Charlie Joiner to become the Chargers all-time receptions leader, and in 2012, he claimed two more records. First, he and Philip Rivers became the most prolific QB-TE combination, racking up the most touchdowns ever for a single QB-TE pair. Later that year vs. the Panthers, Gates tied Lance Alworth's record for most receiving touchdowns in Chargers history and broke it the very next week. Then, in 2014, Gates claimed one of the remaining Chargers' receiving records, most career receiving yards. Against the Panthers on Sunday Gates will have played in more games than any other full-time position player in Chargers history.
Click here or on the photo below to view a gallery of Gates' record breaking career.
