Antonio Gates happy to quiet doubters after three touchdown performance
Future first ballot Hall of Famer Antonio Gates had one of the best games of his historic career yesterday as the San Diego Chargers took down the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 30-21. Gates connected with Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers for three touchdowns yesterday, helping his team pull off the massive upset.
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Gates’ final statline read as follows: 7 receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns. His sensational outing will undoubtedly quite the doubters that questioned whether or not Gates has anything left in the gas tank prior to the start of the season.
Although Gates has shown signs of slowing down, the media has definitely overblown his decline. Over much of the preseason, many pundits were calling for more of Ladarius Green, the Chargers versatile backup tight end.
Even amidst the scrutiny, Gates was unfazed and knew he still had what it takes to be a dominant force in the NFL.
“One thing I’ve learned from being around is that outsiders tend to have their perspective about players,” Gates told Chargers media after the win Sunday. “It never bothered me one time. If I can make this team, which is a very good football team, then obviously I had something left in the gas tank.”
Not only did Gates believe in himself, but he noted that the coaches belief in him gave him that extra motivation to shine.
“Coaches always believed in me and I never really once thought about what someone had to say because I really don’t know how you judge or make comments about a situation,” Gates continued. “I don’t know what they go off of. Last year, I felt like I was able to do some things to help us win. So really, I’m not sure (what) critics or the professional experts are going off of, because when I looked at the stats last year I was number three in the NFL at the tight end position. My main focus is just to try and help us win football games every Sunday.”
Gates and the Chargers will look to improve to 2-1 next weekend when they travel to upstate New York to take on the upstart 2-0 Buffalo Bills.