Antonio Gates will have to wait at least one more year to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Chargers legend (who spent most of his career in San Diego) was on the ballot for the first time, but he wasn't one of the seven included in Canton, Ohio.
With Gates' numbers, it's probably a question of if, not when. Over his career, he made 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns, en route to eight Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro selections.
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates watches a replay from the sideline at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on October 7, 2018. (Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images)
So since he's probably going in, he shouldn't dwell on the fact that his arrival is delayed, says Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.
The Dallas Cowboys legend knows all about feeling snubbed.
“I didn't get on the first ballot,” Irvin told TMZ Sports in Las Vegas. “But I promise you that I got in on the third ballot and when I got there and stood on that podium, joy was waiting for me. It didn't even matter that I didn't get in on the first ballot.” , once I got there, I saw joy.”
Antonio Gates of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
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Irvin told the outlet that he thought Gates was going to come in and that he deserved to be there. And while he might be hurting right now, Gates can make it worth the wait, Irvin says.
“Don't let that rob you when your time comes. Don't get so mad about not getting in when you wanted that when you do you can't even appreciate it. Don't let it rob you of you twice.”
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates laughs during warmups for the Washington Redskins game on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Steve McMichael and Randy Gradishar make up the 2024 Hall of Fame Class; All seven were officially announced during the NFL Honors on Thursday night.
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