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Antonio Gates announces retirement, will stay with Chargers in public-facing role

Antonio Gates announced on Tuesday that he’s retiring from the NFL, one year and one day after he’d last played in a game. The 39-year-old, a standout forward at Kent State who focused on football once it appeared he wouldn’t have a place in the NBA, entered the league in 2003 as an undrafted rookie. He leaves as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

‘I never dreamed I would play this game for so long’

Tight end Antonio Gates announced his retirement on Tuesday. (AP/Adrian Kraus)

In a letter posted to his Twitter account, Gates wrote in part:

“After 16 seasons in the NFL, 16 seasons as a Charger, eight Pro Bowl appearances and many records broken, I find it hard to officially put this statement out and retire from the game of football.