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It is absolutely amazing to think that, prior to his rookie season in 2003, Antonio Gates had not played organized football since his senior year at Central High School in Detroit. In college Gates chose to focus on his favorite sport, basketball, but was told by scouts that he was too much of a "tweener" (at 6'4") to make it in the NBA. The opinions of NBA scouts turned out to be an enormous blessing for the San Diego Chargers. Since being signed by the Chargers, Gates has become the quintessential NFL Tight End making the Pro Bowl in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Since 2004, only Marvin Harrison has caught more touchdowns than Gates while Antonio currently holds the single season touchdown reception record for tight ends with 13.
This 2006 game used Gates Charger throwback jersey shows fantastic use including ball and hit marks on the numbers. The jersey is powder blue mesh with dazzle cloth shoulders and spandex sides. On each side panel there has been approximately 1" of material removed and sewn back with a single zigzag stitch. The sleeve ends are custom cut with elastic inserted bands. Separating both shoulders and sleeves is a white mesh quadrant with a Chargers traditional lightning bolt sewn on. On the front, back and both sleeves are the player number '85' sewn on in white on gold tackle twill. On the back, above the number, sewn on a powder blue nameplate is "GATES" done in white tackle twill. Inside the neck is a 06-50 S swatch tag indicating the year, size and cut of the jersey. Sewn on the base of the v-neck is the NFL equipment patch. The jersey's front tail sports a Reebok tag with size 50 and 6 inches L.B. flag tags. An embroidered Reebok logo is also on both sleeves.
This wonderful jersey comes with an LOA from NFL Auctions.View Lot Detail page
This 2006 game used Gates Charger throwback jersey shows fantastic use including ball and hit marks on the numbers. The jersey is powder blue mesh with dazzle cloth shoulders and spandex sides. On each side panel there has been approximately 1" of material removed and sewn back with a single zigzag stitch. The sleeve ends are custom cut with elastic inserted bands. Separating both shoulders and sleeves is a white mesh quadrant with a Chargers traditional lightning bolt sewn on. On the front, back and both sleeves are the player number '85' sewn on in white on gold tackle twill. On the back, above the number, sewn on a powder blue nameplate is "GATES" done in white tackle twill. Inside the neck is a 06-50 S swatch tag indicating the year, size and cut of the jersey. Sewn on the base of the v-neck is the NFL equipment patch. The jersey's front tail sports a Reebok tag with size 50 and 6 inches L.B. flag tags. An embroidered Reebok logo is also on both sleeves.
This wonderful jersey comes with an LOA from NFL Auctions.View Lot Detail page