Antonio Gates Misses Hall Of Fame Cut

Antonio Gates should wait a minimum of 12 extra months for his gold jacket … TMZ Sports activities has realized the NFL legend did NOT make this yr’s Hall of Fame reduce.

Our sources inform us when officers made calls Thursday morning to tell finalists and their reps in the event that they bought the inexperienced gentle or to not Canton … Gates obtained dangerous information.

It is, in fact, stunning … as most pundits believed the 43-year-old was undoubtedly deserving of the first-ballot nod.

In spite of everything, the ex-tight finish compiled 11,841 receiving yards on 955 catches … whereas recording 116 whole touchdowns. In line with Professional Soccer Reference’s Hall of Fame Monitor metric system, solely three tight ends within the historical past of the league — Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce — have been extra deserving of a bust.

Gates himself actually appeared to suppose he was in … he advised us again in November he believed he and Julius Peppers have been going to get the decision.

It is unclear who bought in forward of Gates this yr … however different finalists included Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Patrick Willis.