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Gates credited his Kent State coaches for providing the foundation for his success, specifically thanking coaches Rob Senderoff, Jim Christian and Stan Heath "for giving me the tools I needed to turn my potential into a purpose."

He reserved special praise for coach Rob Murphy, who Gates said helped him escape difficult circumstances in Detroit.

"Coach Rob Murphy, you helped me too, man, get out of the streets of Detroit. I will never forget what you've done for me. You helped me live," Gates said. "Coach Murphy, you protected me from the predators."

Gates also recounted how Murphy and Senderoff worked to secure him NFL tryouts, leading to his introduction to Tim Brewster, then the tight ends coach for the San Diego Chargers.

"You see, Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team," Gates said, adding that because of Brewster's faith in him, "NFL teams, NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again."

Gates was enshrined Saturday during the Class of 2025 ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium alongside Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe. Earlier in the day, he participated in the Grand Parade through downtown Canton.

Gates delivered his induction speech while wearing the Hall of Fame's legendary gold jacket, which he was presented with during a ceremony Friday evening.

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱!⚡️

— Kent State Athletics (@KentStAthletics)

Also honored during the week was fellow Kent State alumnus Mary Kay Cabot, who graduated summa cum laude from Kent State in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in news. Cabot received the 2025 Bill Nunn Jr. Award from the Professional Football Writers of America on Friday evening, recognizing her distinguished contribution to professional football coverage.

Cabot's career began with an internship at The Plain Dealer while she was a Kent State student in 1983. More than 40 years later, she has become synonymous with Cleveland Browns coverage and is only the second woman to receive the prestigious Nunn Award.

The week's festivities began Thursday night with the Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. Gates was introduced on the field alongside his fellow inductees before the game that opened the NFL's 106th season.

Gates worked with fellow alumnus Jon Kendle during his Hall of Fame exhibit preparation. Kendle, who holds two degrees from Kent State and serves as vice president of museum and archives at the Hall of Fame, helped curate Gates' display, which includes a purple cleat honoring his late sister Pamela, who died of lupus in 2014.

After his elite run with the Flashes followed by his electric career with the Chargers, Kent State alum and @Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Antonio Gates is back home for one golden weekend.⚡️🐐 @los angeles chargers

Gates concluded his speech with reflections on football's broader impact, emphasizing the sport's ability to unite people across different backgrounds.

"Football is the ultimate team game, and I didn't get here long I'm standing here today because of people who've poured into me," Gates said. "A kid from Detroit to San Diego living in Los Angeles right now, had it not been for sports, I probably would never cross paths with half of you in here, and that's why sports is such a great reminder to us as humans that we're not divided as people may think we're more than just black or white, rich or poor."