Written by Ricky Henne at Chargers.com
It all began 10 years ago in Week 1 of the 2006 season.
Making the first start of his NFL career, Philip Rivers fired only 11 passes as the San Diego Chargers beat the Oakland Raiders 27-0. One of those was a touchdown strike to Antonio Gates, sending the quarterback into a frenzy.
“He and I laugh about our first touchdown,” Rivers reminisced. “I only threw 11 passes. He may have only had one or two catches, and one of them was a touchdown. We were on the three-yard line and it was one of those little goal line passes. I was obviously super excited. It wasn’t my first touchdown because I had thrown one to Malcom (Floyd) two years before, but it was my first touchdown to Gates and as a starter. It was Monday Night Football, and I was obviously super excited. So I was fired up and ran up to him and said, ‘Hey, that’s the first of many’ and he was like, ‘Man, get out here!’ We laugh about that now because it was the first of many, so we look back at how far we’ve come.”
The pair has gone on to connect for 77 touchdowns to become the most prolific QB-TE combo in NFL history. They now get the chance to extend their record as Gates agreed to a two-year contract that will allow him to end his career with the Chargers.
“I hate to lose any free agent, but losing Gates would have been rough,” Rivers said. “I’m thankful that he’ll get to finish it here, and I get to be a part of it. It’s exciting to have him back. I didn’t see any way we were going to not bring him back, but it is good to see it become a reality.”
Number 85 has achieved numerous milestones over his already legendary career. The franchise leader in career receptions (844), receiving yards (10,644) and touchdown catches (104), Gates ranks seventh all-time in TD receptions and third among all tight ends in total receptions and receiving yards.
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