Chargers’ TE Antonio Gates Officially Retires

Antonio Gates in 2017. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

While he didn’t play at all in the 2019 NFL season, veteran tight end Antonio Gates never officially announced his retirement, leaving an open door for a possible return. The door, however, is closed now as Gates, who spent his entire career with Los Angeles Chargers, recently confirmed he is done with football.

Gates made his retirement official via a statement issued to the media.

“After 16 seasons in the NFL, 16 seasons as a Charger, eight Pro Bowl appearances and many records broken, I find it hard to officially put this statement out and retire from the game of football,” -said Gates in the statement.

The 39-year-old also said that he will remain involved with Chargers organization in other ways after retirement.

“I never dreamed that I would play this game of football so long or how fortunate I would be to play it with just one organization,” he added. “While today I am officially retiring as a Charger, I am grateful that I will still be lending my services to the Chargers organization — just now in a completely different capacity through the team’s community engagement initiatives and public facing events.”

Gates was on the verge of retiring following the end of the 2017 NFL season when Chargers decided not to extend his contract. The team changed their mind several months later, bringing him back after starter Hunter Henry suffered a season-ending injury.

Antonio Gates entered the NFL in 2003, signing with Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He went on to play for 16 seasons in the league, making 236 appearances and contributing with 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns. His 116 TDs currently stand as a record for most touchdowns scored by a tight end.

Gates made eight Pro Bowl appearances while having three First-Team All-Pro selections.