Sports at Lunch, Antonio Gates

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

Antonio Gates travels to and from work on the Ted Williams Parkway, and the daily drives sparked his curiosity.

The Chargers’ Pro Bowl tight end is best known for making the jump from undersized college basketball player to the NFL, but he also played baseball as a kid growing up in Detroit.

Gates’ appearance at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports at Lunch Speaker Series on March 30 was an opportunity to learn a little more Williams' history and touch a treasured piece of memorabilia. He met with Hall of Champions founder Bob Breitbard, a childhood friend of Williams growing up in San Diego, and Breitbard pulled out a bat Williams used to hit .406 in 1941.

“I drive the road every day, so I decided I needed to learn more out the man,” said Gates as he held the hallowed piece of wood.

Gates made his own history last season at second-year tight end with the Chargers. His set and NFL record for touchdown catches by a tight end with 13 as he helped lead the Chargers to a 12-4 record and AFC West title.

He also changed the thinking of a few college basketball players considered undersized for the NBA.

“My phone is always ringing from guys who play basketball,” Gates said. “They ask me if they think they can play safety or wide receiver in the NFL.”

Gates tells them the same thing he told the lunch gathering at the Hall of Champions.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey,” Gates said. “People see me, and they think I woke up one day and decided to be a Pro Bowl tight end. The key for me is I was surrounded by good people. I didn’t have bad habits from college, and I came in and learned from good coaching. (Chargers head coach) Marty Schottenheimer emphasized the importance of good techniques. He also said if I didn’t get it done, I’d be back in Detroit. It was the little things I learned from Marty Schottenheimer that got me to the Pro Bowl.”

Gates spoke to the Hall-of-Champions lunch audience for 40 minutes, answering questions about his evolution from a high school All-American in football and basketball, a college basketball honorable mention All American at Kent State to a Pro Bowl tight end.

He also talked about the Chargers’ championship season that came to an end with a first-round loss to the New York Jets.

“What we took from that game is a playoff game comes down to making plays,” Gates said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make enough of them to win the game. For the most part, about 90 percent of the team has been here working out. I think the guys understand now what it takes to be a playoff team.”

What else did Gates have to say about college basketball, the Final Four matchups, the NFL and the Chargers’ future? You should have been at Sports at Lunch to hear him.