Every year when the next Pro Football Hall of Fame class gets announced, there's always a few snubs. One of those snubs this year was tight end Antonio Gates.
Many believe Gates should have been selected to the Class of 2024. Instead, the five players chosen to make up the Class of 2024 were Devin Hester, Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis and Andre Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers general manager and former NFL safety John Lynch was among those surprised that Gates did not make the Hall of Fame this season.
“Someone asked me today, were there any omissions in the Hall of Fame? A real personal one for me was Antonio Gates. That guy was a tremendous player. When I played against him, I said, that's a Hall of Fame football player. So he's got to wait like a lot of us did and have to. But man, I knew when I played against that guy, that guy was special.”
— Lynch, via FOX Sports' Eric Williams.
Lynch played against Gates twice a year for four seasons, when the two players were division rivals with Lynch on the Denver Broncos and Gates on the then-San Diego Chargers. As someone who had to defend Gates, Lynch would know the caliber of player he is.
Lynch himself understands waiting to get the gold jacket. Lynch was passed up several times before he was finally inducted in 2021.
Still, Gates has the numbers and had the career to merit the Hall of Fame. Gates was an eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, and a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. He finished his career with 955 receptions, 11,841 yards, and 116 touchdowns, which is the all-time tight end touchdown record.
While he didn't make it this year, don't be surprised if he makes it in the next couple of years.
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