Gates, who caught 116 touchdown passes in a 16-year career spent entirely with the Chargers, is elected alongside defensive end Jared Allen, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe and cornerback Eric Allen.

Two of the four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class announced Thursday claim the city loudly — tight end Antonio Gates, who spent 14 of his 16 seasons playing his home games at Qualcomm Stadium, and cornerback Eric Allen, a Point Loma High School alum still lives nearby in the La Playa neighborhood.

Finally! After being left off last year, former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has finally been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class. Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.