Antonio Gates First NFL Hall of Famer Without College Football

Antonio Gates made history as the first player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame without ever playing college football, a milestone celebrated during his 2025 enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. Though he never played college football, Gates was a standout basketball player at Kent State University, leading the team to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance and averaging impressive statistics. Originally recruited by Michigan State for both basketball and football, Gates transferred to focus solely on basketball after the football coaching staff wanted him to quit basketball. Despite going undrafted, Gates signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers, where he became an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro, and set the NFL record for tight end touchdowns with 116 over 16 seasons. His journey from college basketball to NFL stardom has inspired a new trend of basketball players transitioning to play tight end in football. Gates emphasized in his Hall of Fame speech how sports unite people and provide life-changing opportunities beyond individual backgrounds.