Why Antonio Gates is the Best Athlete Ever

When LaDanian Tomlinson runs to the strong side of the field, he usually gains a lot of yards. It would be easy to credit this to Tomlinson's big play ability, but actually, the blockers should be given some of this credit too. Antonio Gates is the man that can seal the edge, turn his defender, and allow Tomlinson to break one for a huge gain.

When the Chargers get in the red zone, defenses stack the line, expecting a hand off to Tomlinson for six points. However, with Antonio Gates in the picture, the Chargers run play action, Gates breaks free, an makes a dazzling catch in the endzone. Gates is nimble enough to catch any pass his way, and make sure to stay in bounds, even at 260 pounds.

When the Chargers face third and long, they have to pass. With Antonio Gates, they now have two extra options for play calls. First they can line up in a formation with Gates at tight end. When the quarterback has to check down, Gates makes the catch, rumbles over defenders, and stretches for the first down. The other option the Chargers have is to split Gates out wide. Now the defense has matchup problems. Gates is too fast for a linebacker to cover him, and too big for a cornerback. Either way, Gates finds a way to get open, and is known for making his fabulous catches.

Back in college, Antonio Gates was not the best football player that Kent State had. In fact, he was actually known on campus as a basketball player. Gates played power foward for the Golden Flashes. He received honorable mention as an All-American in his senior season, averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds. He led the team to two 20 win seasons along with tournament berths. At Detroit Central High School, Gates earned first team all-state in both football and basketball.

In Gates' last two seasons with the Chargers he has averaged 85 receptions, 1000, yards, and 12 TDs. If a team earned that kind of production of its wide receiver they would be more than satisfied. Coming from a tight end, those numbers are off the charts. It takes quite an athlete to be able to succeed from high school all the way to the pros.

Antonio Gates is one of the few athletes ever to be an all state pick in two sports in high school. Then he managed to earn honorable mention as an all-american in a sport that he does not even play anymore. Now with the Chargers, Gates has redefined his position in football, proving that tight ends can be big, fast, and nimble. Antonio Gates is one of the greatest athletes to ever walk this planet.