San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates never played a down of football in his time at Kent State, but that didn’t stop him from making his mark in athletics as he spent two seasons on the Kent State basketball team.

Gates was a integral part of the team that reached the 2002 Elite 8, a season in which the Flashes finished the regular season with a record of 24-5. 

Gates was an All-American honorable mention his senior season, averaging 20.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He scored 1,216 points in his time at Kent — the 16th highest mark in school history — and had his jersey retired in 2010.

Gates has spent the past 14 seasons as a part of the San Diego Chargers, where he is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He currently has 111 career touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end.

The ceremony inducting him to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame will be held at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on Wednesday, May 31.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].