How A College Basketball Player Became An NFL Legend (What Happened To Antonio Gates?) 

About a year ago, I decided to revisit Madden 07 by creating a terrible team and starting a franchise on All-Madden difficulty, where my first game was against the Chargers, with Philip Rivers, Ladainian Tomlinson, and Antonio Gates. Haven't played since.

Gates was one of the main reasons I became a Bolts fan. He was my first jersey and at my first game he went for 144 yards and 2 TD's against the Cardinals. Definitely one of my all time favorite players and a truly incredible video. I still have that old Reebok powder blue 85 jersey hanging up in my house.

I feel like a lot of young people forget how dominate gates was in his prime and how long a career he had, Phillip Rivers owes a lot of his career success to that man

What a great coach looking out for his player's future. Love it.

His story deserves a motivational movie. It’s unbelievable. I remember watching a game his rookie season and the announcers were saying the Chargers signed a free agent rookie who played basketball in college, who would be good. That was an understatement. Good work Flemlo

Gates was so damn good. As a Chargers fan I loved watching him, LT, and Rivers when they were all playing. Gates made me love playing Tight End back when I played football. What's crazy is that despite all that he did, some people still keep him out of their top 5 all time

FlemLo, man I know you probably aren’t gonna see this comment but your videos are incredibly well made and watching how turn your passion of sports into a career is dope as hell to me.

Dude is for sure a GOAT, unbelievable story to back up INCREDIBLE stat lines. Exeptional player.

At 53 years old, I still remember that NCAA tournament, and remember watching those games, because I was pulling for them, not because I was a Kent State fan, but always loved the underdog story. During those days fantasy football was played by using the Monday, and Tuesday newspaper to tally the scores. Gates was always a guy you wanted on your team. Good times!

I’m a 49ers fan who grew up in SD, I will always count myself lucky to have been able to see Gates and LT play in person and be able to watch their games every week. Two of the greatest at their respective positions, and absolute class acts in the community

Should do Byron Leftwich next. Went from legendary college career to first round pick to highly touted OC to out of a job completely

As a Chargers fan, I will always click instantly when Flem makes a video on a Charger player. My second favorite Charger of all time behind LT.

Wow…the evolution of Flemlo’s storytelling is exceptional and so inspiring. Mans drew parallels of durability to Antonio’s professional fighting grandad, talk about research. Also enjoyed the discussion/conclusion at the end about following your passion. Who know’s maybe Gate’s holds resentment for football if it was the only sport he could play in college. Awesome that he got to live out his passion and pivot to something else when he was ready to. As usual, great work Flem!

I always hated the San Diego Chargers. Mainly because of how pathetic their fan base was and because of what AJ Smith did to Drew Brees, Junior Seau, Michael Turner and Tomlinson. Running them outta town. But Gates and Donnie Edwards are guys I always had great respect for. Gates was special.

I live about 20 mins away from Kent Ohio. My Uncle is a Kent State alumni, and he had season tickets to Kent State’s basketball team every year. I was probably around 14-16 years old when I went to a TON of their games over a couple years back in the day, and one of those years were when Kent went to the Elite 8. I remember watching Gates thinking “this is the most graceful big man I’ve ever seen with a basketball.” He was MASSIVE, but had handles like a PG. it was so awesome watching him end up in the NFL after watching him play college basketball!!

Antonio, Lorenzo Neal, LT, and Rivers were 2000s goats. Good to see you present his story flem

From not playing college football to having the most touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history. Antonio Gates really was that dude… and he used to make it look SO easy

Very similar story would love to see you talk about Stephen Neal. He was an O linemen for the early 2000’s Patriot dynasty, that had 81 starts protecting Tom Brady after never playing a down of college football. He was a 2 time national champion wrestler that beat Brock Lesnar on the finals to win his title.

One of the best goddamn tight ends in NFL history.

Love the content and the story telling skills. Your inspirational perspective is on point. Thanks for what you do man.

Wow. Another instant Classic by FlemLo. Brother you just bring it every time!! Much thanks!!

Incredible! Loved watching him play and he always came through for my fantasy football teams. You are a fantastic storyteller! I should know as I coach and train professionals on this. Keep delivering that content

Awesome video and storytelling, as usual! His story reminds me of another TE who played college basketball, Julius Thomas.

I’ve always been a Gates fan. He was one of my favorite players growing up and made me love the TE position

Look at Flem..So Inspirational

FlemLooooooo!!! I didn't know how many times he tranfered. And that's really damn cool with Huff, his Coach doing all that, and the dude from the Chargers as well. And nuts that he accomplished all this but much respect. Thanks for another one!

Damn!!! That’s a crazy story. Shoutout to having support and people looking out for your best interest. 🙌🏽🙌🏽

My favorite player of all time! Have 2 signed Jerseys from him, most underated TE of all time. So glad you made this video man!

Finally! Flem is back to the regularly scheduled content. Appreciate it dog!

Just another fantastic video. You do people justice with your deep dives.

Great video! Accurate information! Story well told from start to finish! Best I've seen on Gates and I've seen and read them all! Respect!🙏🏽💯

Well done video Flemlo. Always great perspective and info.

My favorite player growing up. Thank you for the vid.❤

I proud of you braw! Way to keep going forward!

It's wild that Flemlo isn't handling NFL documentaries. You have some serious skill and your passion shows in every video

Went to high school with him, he was the truth him & his running mate Dante Darling was power houses in the PSL Proud of my guy

I really appreciated the basketball information in the eearly parts of the video and can definitely see you doing future basketball player videos. Just an idea, keep up the good work flem lo!!!

Man IMA SAY THIS ONE LAST TIME!!! Flemloraps GOT TO BE THE COLDEST STORYTELLER OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! man you be having me thinking on these stories for 8 weeks straight trying to come up with different perspectives 😂😂 shoutout to you man!!

Thank you Flemlo!!

Thanks for this video. KSU grad here, that elite 8 season was incredible.

Bro, you just get better and better over time, love to see it. Keep up the hard work ❤

flemlo I love your little docs can't imagine how much time you put in to research and editing but love it!

Every video gets better in quality and editing, 1M soon

Anytime I get Flem in the recommended I get excited and joyful. My first thought is I forgot about this dude! And the. Watch hours on end. Respect to one of the best channels on here

Great vid dawg and appreciate your insights. Keep it up G

As a diehard Chargers fan, thank you for making this 🙏🏽 Quality work as always bro 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽

It's A Trip How Antonio Gates, & Anthony Gonzalez Both Balled In High School & College But At The End They Both Ended Up Being Professional Football Players Who Played TE.

You never disappoint your content great work

Great Video Flem. IMO everything that this video says shows why Gates is the greatest TE ever in NFL history. Also it shows that even if it isn't your first love, what you are great at is what you should do to have success in life.

I was born a raised in San Diego. I still remember reading the sports section of the newspaper. It read they had signed this college basketball player. I was like WTH are they doing. 20 years later he’s one of my all time favorites. Love ya Gates. Great video!

Well said young man. I really enjoy your videos

I’m glad this was posted on the Chargers subreddit. Very informative and really well put together. But above all that, the narrator has a gift for storytelling.

Your writing is fantastic bro keep it up

The real hero is his coach. Instead of worrying about only his future in coaching like 90% of other coaches do, he took time out of his own schedule to single handedly get Gates into the nfl

Gates is a legend. I live in San Diego and bumped into him, we just had a casual conversation. He was a super humble person...

Loved watching Antonio Gates play growing up, such a good and talented player it’s cool to hear more about his story growing up.

Bro. You're are the new Slick Rick. The story telling King of RU-vid.💯💪🏾

Great story. Being a Detroit native, always great to see some love for one of our local greats

You are the truth flemlo

Awesome job as always!...but I lost it seeing Nick Saban creep up out the corner at 15:33 😂

FlemLo even though I found this story very interesting and comment worthy, my main purpose for responding is to let you know how great I think your ability to narrate a story is. I became aware of you some years ago then I stopped visiting you tube as much and I don't think I had an opinion then. However I have very recently become reacquainted with your channel and I am impressed to the point of tears. Your reporting skills are superb and your presentation is superior. I consider you an elite not only on these youtube streets but in the mainstream journalistic world. I tried to find one of your most recent videos so at least you would see my comment as I recently stumbled back on your site from channel surfing and most of your videos coming across my feed were from years ago. I don't care about the topic, but I will listen to the subject matter because you are that DARN GOOD!!! 💯

W video like all ways Flemlo raps

Ironically enough, Nick Saban also went to Kent State

My good friend always reminds me how, during very early in our sophomore year of HS in math class, he predicted the 2004 Chargers were gonna surpass expectations and make the playoffs. And he reminds me how I said to watch out for this Antonio Gates dude as Pro Bowl-caliber tight end. Little did we know how our silly little teenage football predictions would help set the tone for some of the biggest NFL stories (Gates, Drew Brees, the Chargers going from a poverty franchise to one stuck in purgatory) for the next a decade and a half. I was enamored with Kent State's 2002 Elite Eight run, and I absolutely believed even back then that his college basketball experience would boost his chances of NFL success. His experiences would make him AT THE LEAST a big play and red zone threat, due to his body awareness and up's in traffic. As a result, he'd also know how to snatch the ball at the apex of the pass, giving him a skill that at the time was not known among most tight ends. (Tony Gonzalez was definitely the exception.) Jason Witten will always be MY tight end (along with Jay Novacek) but Gates was my favorite tight end. And without Gates, I don't believe there is a Gronk or Kelce or Kittle, tbh.

Not playing in colllege probably helped him in the long run

Flemlo raps has taught me so much about life

The fact he got to start a NFL game without playing football for a whole year is INSANE. I knew Gates was a beast I became a fan of football around the time he was dominating so I saw a lot of his highlights....but man that's just crazy. Man literally came off the basketball court and walked into a HoF TE career in football 😮

Never heard his story until now and didn't realize he was in the league so long with one team. Thats unusual for a non QB. Awesome feature as usual Bro!

As a Raiders fan I remember that every time we'd play the Chargers I'd check the injury report praying he was sitting out LOL

Antonio Gates is and was a BEAST. I drafted him every year I could in Fantasy, and got excited for every Chargers national game because of the offensive firepower they always seemed capable of bringing. One of my favorite players to watch, and I am absolutely convinced that the position of TE changed into what it is today because of Gates.

Flem did a San Diego Chargers vid? SDSU in the Final Four? We good… CALL DAYGO

Awesome story. A class act. Towards end of his career he was barely used as a pass catcher but never complained

As a chargers fan since a kid I jumped on this video quick 🙏🏼 LT next ? (:

Great story, told by a great storyteller.

Been a chargers fan for 15 years now a lot of pain along the way but im glad I got to watch gates and Tomlinson play together 🔥🔥🔥

Ima achieve success fully one day in life and in part I thank you flem. Mentally your viedoes wake shit up. Thanks brother

love u flem

Always wanted Antonio gates to go and play in Cincinnati

The way you compared basketball and football to the love of your life is top notch Mfn Journalism my boy 🙏🏽 when you said “despite his infidelity, football waited on him” … I was like “THIS BOY FLEM RAW AS HELL!” 😂😂

Good story flemlo well written.

Bro was a beast….

INSANE 🔥🔥🔥

Never knew he didn't play football in college. Always thought he played both. Good write up Flem

Love me some Antonio man, haven't watched the full vid yet, still watching but had to comment now. Already a amazing story like always raps, like always thanks for making my childhood heros come to life in this time of day. They need there respect and appreciation. Please do a video on PRIEST HOLMES PLEASE. Or the 12-0 Kansas city chiefs with Trent green, priest Holmes, donte hall, Gonzales PLEASE AND THANK YOU, PLEASE BE WELL AND PROSPER MY BROWN BROTHER.

Him and rivers were unstoppable in the end zone first ballot hall of famer for sure

Good video

Great video! Can you fit in a Zach Thomas video?

He owes a lot to the people around him. Usually you have so many people doubting you, but EVERYBODY was in this dude's corner at every step.

Its a good day to us Bolts fan to listen to an interesting story.

0:27 "infidelity" is crazy 😭😭😭 love the videos, keep up the great work

Mo Allie-Cox played basketball at VCU. A school that doesn’t even have a football team. And now he’s a pretty decent starting TE. Crazy!

Flem slick with the way he slid that image of Nick Saban up on the right side of the screen when the Kent State coach said that some guys just try to recruit you 😂😂

I love how you said first round ballot if no B.S. is a foot your on point.

Thats a real coach right there i love it

Gates will always be one of the all time legends of SD. One of the few who played for the Chargers for the lifetime of his career. One of the best TE off all time.

Good job.

Man this is great life long chargers fan⚡⚡ Gates us a All time great top 5 TE OF ALL TIme met him in Nashville when the chargers played the Titans at dave and Buster's and he was such a great guy he respected that we waited till his wife and kids went and played games before we went and asked for a picture and autographs

I remember watching a future pro bowl NFL DT play high-school basketball in the 90s and he was a beast. John Henderson played for Pearl Cohn HS in Nashville. They called him Baby Shaq for good reason. He played most of his career with the Jacksonville Jags.

Basketball preserved him

Damn Gates was a beast out the gate. Good deep dive Flemlo that's why i watch!