Chargers Legend Antonio Gates Announces His Retirement From NFL

SAN DIEGO, CA — Antonio Gates, the long time San Diego Chargers great, formally announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.

In a statement released on his personal twitter, Gates made sure to give a special thanks to the fans in San Diego.

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— Antonio Gates (@AntonioGates85) January 14, 2020

"I never dreamed that I would play this game of football so long or how fortunate I would be to play it with just one organization," Gates said in the statement. "I want to thank the Chargers organization, the National Football League, Dean Spanos and the Spanos family for the oppurtunity to live out a dream and play the game I love."

Gates played 16 seasons in the NFL, all of which with the Chargers. He finished his career with 955 catches for 11,841 yards, and 116 touchdowns, each a franchise record.

The longtime NFL tight end wasn't on a team last year, but he never actually retired.

Gates made the Pro Bowl eight times in his 16 seasons and was named to the All-Pro team five times. The 6-foot-4-inch pass catcher was also selected as a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade team.

Phillip Rivers and Gates have combined for 89 touchdowns, the most in NFL history by a tight end-quarterback duo. Gates is also the league's all-time touchdown leader at the position with his 116 scores.