Antonio Gates joined Sports Illustrated on behalf of The Pro Football Hall of Fame to explain what not being elected means to him.
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00:00 All right, ladies and gentlemen, I played against this guy.
00:04 I saw him live, direct, in living color when I used to play for the Raiders back in the
00:08 day.
00:09 Got a Chargers legend, Antonio Gates.
00:12 We have to touch on this, man.
00:15 They didn't give you the gold jacket this year, and I'm shocked.
00:20 What goes through, like, what is that process like?
00:24 Is it nerve wracking?
00:25 Is it like anxiety?
00:26 It is.
00:27 Is it anger?
00:28 Is it like, "If you don't make it, talk to me through that," man?
00:31 Well, it's a feeling that you truly...
00:35 I think as athletes, we always really want to know what someone thinks about us.
00:40 It ain't that you care, because it doesn't define you, but I think reality is that you
00:47 can only control what you can control.
00:50 And I think that's the way I see it.
00:53 I think that I have sacrificed so much for the game of football, right?
00:59 And you know that too, right?
01:01 We put our life on the line.
01:03 We take away from our families.
01:06 Our time is limited.
01:08 And when you have so much underneath the surface, and you kind of want to...
01:15 Human nature, you want to be rewarded for that.
01:18 Because you know what I mean?
01:19 And I think about my journey, right?
01:21 I think about the people who've always supported me.
01:25 I felt like I let them down.
01:27 Unfortunately, you don't want to say you let them down, but that's how you feel at the
01:31 time when it happens to you.
01:32 Because you're like, "Wow."
01:34 It's like getting to the Super Bowl and then don't winning.
01:37 Somehow that feels very painful.
01:41 And I couldn't believe the pain that I was going through.
01:44 You know, obviously we go through things, man.
01:47 We succeed in certain areas, some areas we don't, but we move forward.
01:50 It's like this, I'm going to move forward.
01:52 There's no way in God or earth that I'm not going to move forward.
01:56 But I think the pain is what I was so surprised with.
02:00 The fact that I didn't make it.
02:01 And you always hear from the day we play sports, you want to be first team, right?
02:05 You want to be all pro, right?
02:07 And it keeps growing, right?
02:08 And that is a very, very elite group.
02:11 And then you hear, "Man, you're a Hall of Famer."
02:14 You hear these things, right?
02:15 And then when you don't get it, it was so painful, man.
02:19 I couldn't believe.
02:21 I just, I couldn't believe that I was that hurt.
02:24 I think that was the shocking part about it.
02:26 I knew it could happen.
02:28 I'm well aware of it.
02:29 But I think the fact of the matter is that I'm like, "Wow."
02:32 I had to go lay down and say, "Man, why does this, God, why does this hurt so bad?"
02:39 You know what I'm saying?
02:40 It's sports, right?
02:41 You know what I mean?
02:43 It ain't no life or death.
02:44 It ain't no...
02:45 It's sports, man.
02:46 Why was this hurt?
02:47 Why does this hurt so bad?
02:48 And I think it's just only I know, and the people that was in my journey with me, how
02:54 much I put in.
02:55 Yes.
02:56 And I think that part is what sucks.
02:58 But kudos to the guys who made it, man.
03:00 Those guys are well deserving.
03:02 And I think you don't never take away from the light that they have to shine light on
03:07 yourself.
03:08 I didn't make it.
03:09 I made the finals.
03:10 Like I said...
03:11 It's not over though.
03:12 Yeah, yeah.
03:13 It's not over, AJ.
03:14 It's like one of those things.
03:15 Yeah.
03:16 It's not over, baby.
03:17 You're going to be in there.
03:18 You know, you said you didn't make the Super Bowl.
03:23 You've been on record saying it's disheartening not being able to get there.
03:28 Do you think when it comes to that gold jacket, if you would have been there, you'd have played
03:32 in a couple of them, that would have been just a no-brainer, easy money, I'm in there,
03:36 locked in?
03:37 I mean, I would like to think that winning a Super Bowl and getting that jury is an attribute
03:45 that no one can take from you.
03:47 Yeah.
03:48 I mean, it signifies what your play meant to the team.
03:56 In a broad perspective, like that's for the rest of the world to see me on that stage.
04:02 The rest of the world ain't never seen me in a Super Bowl.
04:04 You know what I'm saying?
04:05 So if I played in a Super Bowl, the rest of the world can understand what Antonio Gates
04:09 and what the Chargers were doing.
04:11 Organizationally.
04:12 Right.
04:13 You know what I'm saying?
04:14 But you would know, right?
04:15 We played...
04:16 The guys on the West Coast would know.
04:17 The guys on the East Coast, they know what's in the division.
04:18 Right, yeah, yeah.
04:19 We know.
04:20 Maybe they are, but the rest of the world, the people that's in New York might not quite
04:22 understand.
04:23 People in DC might not quite understand.
04:25 So I think it does give you an advantage.
04:29 When I see guys up for it, and I say, even the guys that won, I don't know if it's the
04:33 determining factor because we're talking two different dynamics as a team and individual,
04:40 but I do believe if you had it, it couldn't hurt.
04:44 It can only help.
04:45 So I look into all those dynamics in terms of why I didn't get in, but the most important
04:50 thing is that that's the thing that drive the driving force is what did I do wrong?
04:55 I think any human being knows when things happen to them and it doesn't go the way as
05:02 planned, you immediately start reflecting.
05:04 Yeah, yeah.
05:05 Did I do something?
05:06 Yeah, man, what did I do wrong?
05:09 And I just think about my degree and my degree of difficulty and how...
05:14 What it took for me to be a star.
05:15 So I started as a rookie.
05:16 I was going to bring that up.
05:17 Like that's a, to me, guys get drafted, don't start.
05:23 You know, so that's a, to me, like I said, one moment doesn't define you.
05:30 And I hope, and I would tell this to my kids, don't let one moment define you.
05:34 How you react to this situation.
05:36 And that's why I'm here.
05:37 It's just like, man, all right, you know, it didn't happen, man.
05:40 Do season.
05:41 Yeah, for sure.
05:42 I use that concept now.
05:43 I'm going to season through time, man.
05:44 It'll happen, man.
05:45 And the guys who know, they know.
05:48 And the guys like me that know, you are definitely a trendsetter in the game because you are
05:55 one of the first guys to be a basketball player in college, come into the league and just
06:02 take it by storm.
06:03 And it almost like started a trend, right?
06:05 Yeah.
06:06 With Jimmy Grant.
06:07 They tried to get so many basketball players, like we can make them in the next Antonio
06:10 Cage.
06:11 Julius Thomas.
06:12 Yeah, he balled out at Denver.
06:15 But there's not too many guys that did it.
06:18 So you are, in my opinion, you are the first guy that did it and balled out at that magnitude.
06:23 So I know what this guy has done.
06:26 Let's talk about the tight ends here.
06:29 Phillip Rivers, Tony O'Gates.
06:32 We got Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey.
06:36 We got Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski.
06:40 When you think about those names, where do you see you and Phillip ranking amongst those
06:46 guys?
06:47 I played against two of them.
06:48 All three of them actually.
06:49 I played against all three of them.
06:52 I mean, the game has changed so much.
06:54 And I think, you know, it's so hard to say things without feeling like you're taking
07:02 a shot at someone.
07:03 And that's not what I'm trying to do.
07:04 And I know what I do that those are two great tight ends.
07:08 And those are two great quarterbacks.
07:11 I think when we did it, it wasn't getting done.
07:15 If that makes sense.
07:16 Yes.
07:17 So the magnitude of when we were doing it is a lot bigger than it would be like when
07:23 Steph Curry started shooting long.
07:25 It wasn't done.
07:26 They didn't take six, two small guards.
07:28 They couldn't jump.
07:29 Yeah.
07:30 You know, so when we did it, it was like, man, 13 touchdowns led.
07:34 That was the history.
07:35 I had scored more times in the history at 13.
07:38 Our guys wake up with every guy got 10.
07:40 Yeah.
07:41 So they got to remember the history of when we were doing it.
07:45 And it was a different game.
07:47 We were getting jammed at the line.
07:48 We were getting held at the line.
07:50 You got five yards to do whatever you need to do.
07:52 And then you can let a guy go.
07:54 So it wasn't no lower hitting down low.
07:57 I mean, yeah, guys like Sean Taylor and Bob Sanders, they don't care about covering because
08:02 you need to know where they were at.
08:04 So the fear of walking out there as an offensive guy, the dynamic now guys are faster.
08:09 Safeties are quicker and they are smaller.
08:12 I remember looking back there and seeing Sean Taylor and Al Wilson and freaking big, big
08:18 like these dudes.
08:19 So you have to worry about John Lynch and these guys would tear your head off.
08:23 Yeah.
08:24 So my thing would be like it wasn't done.
08:27 So that dynamic, we can never truly compare.
08:30 I just know that they had tremendous amount of success in what they were doing.
08:34 And so did we.
08:35 Yeah.
08:36 You know?
08:37 Yeah.
08:38 And I think that I'm sure if they watched our tape, they would have to say, this is
08:42 what we were doing.
08:43 This worked against this team.
08:45 So I would like to think that respect factor was always there for all three of us, for
08:50 myself, for Grunt, for Travis.
08:52 But we were obviously the catalyst to how it all started.
08:57 You know, and I think they would probably agree to that too.
09:00 I mean, because I'm sure I see places they run and I know that they stole it from them.
09:05 Yeah, yeah, yeah.
09:06 For sure.
09:07 Back in that time.
09:08 It's what it is.
09:09 I mean, we, it was guys before me who paved the way.
09:12 And that's how it works.
09:13 It's not, you have to bow at one point.
09:16 And I think they know that.
09:17 I mean, I got it.
09:18 I mean, I scored more points.
09:19 The name of the game is scoring.
09:20 And in my world, since I've been playing sports, who you score the most points is who's Jill
09:27 is the best.
09:28 That's how I grew up.
09:29 You know what I mean?
09:30 So, but it doesn't mean guys are not great.
09:33 It's just, that's how I grew up.
09:34 LeBron James, I scored the most points.
09:35 So why are we even talking about anything else?
09:38 I agree.
09:39 Don't get me started on that.
09:40 That's how, that's how we, that's how I grew up though.
09:42 You know what I mean?
09:43 So it's just, unfortunately, you know, I think, you know, it's like a four by one team.
09:50 Yeah.
09:51 You know, you have to put time and I'm past.
09:53 Yeah.
09:54 Stick, stick.
09:55 You know, Grunt passed it to Travis.
09:56 Yeah.
09:57 Travis is going to pass it to the next generation.
09:59 Right.
10:00 So kiddos, right.
10:01 So it just goes in that cycle.
10:02 And I think we all have had that time and that space and what we've done with it.
10:08 Right.
10:09 And it's pushed the position, which is the most important thing I've been able to write.
10:15 Now guys are getting thousand yards.
10:17 Now, every time I look up, I tied in can beat you.
10:20 Yeah.
10:21 They use it and be like that.
10:22 Yeah.
10:23 And that, I feel like this game is like that now.
10:24 You got George, you got Travis, Kelsey.
10:26 I look at the tight end for the Lions, LaPorte.
10:28 I mean, this guy can beat you.
10:30 So now it's just transcended into that point.
10:33 And I think that's the goal.
10:36 That was my purpose.
10:37 Yeah.
10:38 Right.
10:39 That's their purpose.
10:40 Yes.
10:41 And that's what the passing of a time means.
10:42 Yes.
10:43 You keep passing it because when you get it, we need you to push it.
10:45 Yeah.
10:46 Go as fast as you can.
10:47 Do the best you can with it and give it to somebody else.
10:51 Right.
10:52 And tell them, hey, it's not going to be easy, but just do the best you can.
10:54 Yeah.
10:55 And I think that's the beauty of the game.
10:56 So we got the Super Bowl.
10:58 We got two great tight ends in the Super Bowl.
11:00 You just named them.
11:01 We got Travis, Kelsey.
11:02 We got George Kittle.
11:04 What do those guys have to do in this game to help their team win?
11:08 Because I obviously know Travis is the guy.
11:10 Yeah.
11:11 I mean, Patty Mahomes is Patty Mahomes, but Travis is the guy.
11:13 He's their number one option.
11:14 And then when it comes to George Kittle and the Niners, people don't really mention his
11:18 name.
11:19 They mention CMC.
11:20 But I feel like he's the guy.
11:21 Yes.
11:22 He means even more.
11:23 He means more to me than Travis does.
11:25 Yeah.
11:26 Because I know the game.
11:27 Yeah.
11:28 Because they run behind George Kittle too.
11:29 Yes.
11:30 OK.
11:31 So the running game is big with him in it.
11:32 Yeah.
11:33 So now you can do things that can't even Kansas City can't do.
11:35 OK.
11:36 So I'm well familiar with that.
11:38 George Kittle is probably the most all-around best tight end in the history of the game
11:41 right now.
11:42 OK.
11:43 I'm going on record to say that right now as an all-around tight end, him.
11:47 I mean, because what they can do in the run game.
11:49 Yes.
11:50 Run and pass.
11:51 What they can do in the run game.
11:52 I feel like me and Travis is more similar.
11:53 And I was able to.
11:54 We block power.
11:55 So we were able to.
11:57 With Marty Schottenheimer, you got to be able to block.
11:59 Yeah.
12:00 You got to be tough.
12:01 But what Kittles are doing and pancaking defensive ends is insane.
12:07 Yeah.
12:09 I know how.
12:10 It's insane.
12:11 Yeah.
12:12 You know what I'm saying?
12:13 He's pancaking these dudes.
12:14 Yeah.
12:15 You know what I'm saying?
12:16 So I'm like, this is crazy.
12:17 He can go play left tackle, right tackle.
12:18 Yeah.
12:19 Right.
12:20 Right.
12:21 And I think that means more to the 49ers.
12:22 And that's the sports analyst version of me playing in the game.
12:27 I think both of them have to set the tone.
12:29 It ain't no tomorrow.
12:31 You go out, you set the tone.
12:33 What I mean by that is that you go out and you execute.
12:35 You make sure guys are ready to play.
12:37 You make sure guys are on the same page.
12:39 You make sure you set the tone.
12:41 And that's what it means.
12:42 I always had this thing in my room when I was a tight end.
12:45 When I played, it's one thing is leading, but leading efficiently.
12:48 What guys see you do has more value to what you say to them.
12:53 Yeah.
12:54 Yeah.
12:55 You understand what I'm saying?
12:56 Yeah.
12:57 So I'll be like, let's go out here.
12:58 Let's do this.
12:59 Let's go play fast.
13:00 But you know, when I get out there, I'm already ready.
13:01 Yeah.
13:02 You know what I'm saying?
13:03 They watching me work extra.
13:04 So they know it means something to me.
13:05 And they like, wait a minute.
13:06 He's staying out there.
13:07 He's a guy.
13:08 This is six years in a row.
13:09 He's a guy.
13:10 Right.
13:11 So let me get some-- come on, man.
13:12 Let's do it a little bit longer.
13:13 100%.
13:14 You know what I'm saying?
13:15 100%.
13:16 So that's what I mean about setting the tone.
13:17 They have to go set the tone, establish that what we're going to do, and this is how we're
13:21 going to play the game of football.
13:22 And I think guys will fall in suit, especially with those two guys.
13:26 Who you got winning the Super Bowl?
13:27 Who I'm rooting for and who I'm rooting for.
13:28 And drop the bias.
13:29 Yeah, drop the bias.
13:30 Yeah.
13:31 I know you can't like the Chiefs.
13:32 Yeah, right, right, right, right.
13:33 I know you can never really root for the Chiefs.
13:34 I'm a Raider.
13:35 I get you.
13:36 Yeah, yeah.
13:37 But who do you think-- I mean, I'm Patrick Mahomes.
13:38 It's Patrick Mahomes.
13:39 Yeah.
13:40 I'm rooting for the 49ers.
13:41 I live in California.
13:42 OK.
13:43 I like to see-- I mean, I'm going as far as I like to see the fact that Kyle Shanahan
13:52 has fought and fought in that organization.
13:54 But I just-- I mean, Patrick Mahomes is so unbelievable, man.
13:57 And I wouldn't really want to say-- like you said, I played against him twice a year.
14:01 That's our division, right?
14:02 Right.
14:03 So we're in our division with them.
14:04 So we don't really like rooting for him.
14:05 Yeah.
14:06 But it's just one of those things where I don't-- I mean, he's the best quarterback.
14:11 I mean, I think the underlying thing for me, again, because you play-- that defense, Kansas
14:17 City, them boys, they don't get enough credit, man.
14:19 Yeah, they're good.
14:20 You know what I'm saying?
14:21 Those receivers, them corners, you know what I'm saying?
14:24 They out there competing, bro.
14:25 Yeah, they're ballin'.
14:26 And you know how hard it is because everything is always on the offense.
14:29 Yeah.
14:30 All that spotlight.
14:31 And I'm thinking, well, you know, the Baltimore Ravens struggle offensively.
14:33 Ain't nobody talking about nothing but the defense.
14:37 You know what I'm saying?
14:38 So I know that they compete.
14:39 I played them twice.
14:40 You know, they get in your face like how the Ra-- they get in your face and they compete.
14:44 And that's important to winning the Super Bowl.
14:46 And I said, that's to me that the unsung heroes for the Kansas City Chiefs is that defense,
14:50 in my opinion.
14:51 They are getting guys off the field, and it's going overlooked because of the spectacular
14:56 play in Patrick Mahomes.
14:58 It's going overlooked.
14:59 It's like, OK, well, what'd they do to Lamar Jackson?
15:01 Yeah, that's-- exactly.
15:03 They found a way to beat him and stop him.
15:05 Right.
15:06 They put a plan together that slowed him all the way down.
15:09 Right.
15:10 He made some spectacular plays, but he was struggling.
15:12 Yeah.
15:13 To the point I started thinking, these Ravens, are they choking?
15:16 Yeah, right.
15:17 Yeah, right.
15:18 You know what I'm saying?
15:19 But I know that defense is good because I used to go against them.
15:20 I mean, they always been competitive.
15:21 Right.
15:22 The Chiefs have always been competitive on D.
15:23 They have.
15:24 And that's what you see right now.
15:25 That's why, you know, in my mind, that's who I think going to win.
15:28 But I'm rooting for the 49ers.
15:30 Ladies and gentlemen, Antonio Gates, trendsetter in the game.
15:33 I appreciate you for your time, brother.
15:35 Appreciate it, man.
15:36 Give my man a gold jacket and start playing with him, man.
15:39 Thanks, man.
15:39 (electronic music)