Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee shoutouts Phoenix Suns’ member in speech

Why did Gates shout out Ishbia in his speech?

The two have a connection that dates back to when they were both on the Michigan Mustangs AAU team 27 years ago. Gates would later transition into playing football, while Ishbia continued to keep his focus on basketball.

Gates went on to play for the San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) as a tight end for 16 years. Ishbia leaned into business and eventually became the owner of the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury.

Although the two friends eventually went on different paths after their time with the Mustangs, Gates fondly remembers the Suns’ owner and his family during that time in his life.

“I remember growing up in the streets of Detroit and we would use crates and play basketball,” Gates said during his speech. “We would cut the bottom out for hoops and I would play with my boy Gary Morris or Dwight Smith, or my boy Leon Bryan. He would take me to the University of Detroit and we would watch high school basketball at Callahan Hall. Or a friend of mine named Mat Ishbia or his dad, Jeff, would come pick me up and take me to AAU practices. Shoutout to the Michigan Mustangs.”

The moment captured Ishbia with his dad, Jeff, sitting in the crowd as Gates spoke.

Gates’ speech wasn’t the only speech that connected the event to Arizona, as fellow Hall of Fame inductee Eric Allen also remembered his time at Arizona State in his speech.

Gates’ shoutout to Ishbia was a reminder of how special bonds can be through sports, as well as how intertwined Arizona is in sports history.