San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates jubilant after breaking franchise record – NFL News
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has finally broken the franchise record for most touchdown receptions. The player achieved this feat during the 27-17 victory over New York Jets in Week 16 on Sunday, December 23, 2012.
As Gates scored the touchdown in the final minutes of the third quarter, all the Chargers players went to the end zone to greet him for catching 82nd
touchdown pass of his career.
There have been very few joyful moments for the Chargers this season as the team is already out of the playoff race with a 6-9 record.
However, Gates has always been one of the most exciting players for Chargers on the field for a long time.
Gates talked about the record after the game and said that he was not thinking about breaking the record when he went to catch the touchdown pass. Gates said:
“It means a lot. Just the first thing that comes to mind is being mentioned with a guy like Lance Alworth and how important it was for my teammates to give me an opportunity, and this organization give me an opportunity, to accomplish
something of that nature.”
Gates tied the Chargers legend Lance Alworth record in Week 15 and looked almost certain to break it when came on the field next time. Alworth held the record for 42 years. Gates went on and said:
“I think, when I first got here, I just wanted to epitomize what it was to be a professional athlete. The hard work and the dedication and what it means to be prepared and continue to work hard every single year.”
Even though Gates has broken the record, the 2012 season has not been very successful for the player.
At 32, Gates has seen a reduction in output ever since he got a career-threatening injury during the 2010 season.
However, one cannot blame only Gates for his lack of success as the overall offensive performance of the team has declined massively in the past two seasons.
Gates was signed by Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
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