In an end zone painted with the words, "LOS ANGELES," the longest-tenured San Diego Charger made history Sunday.
In the second game of his 15th season, in the Chargers' first home game at StubHub Center, Antonio Gates caught his 112th career touchdown, setting a new mark for NFL tight ends.
On a second down from the 7-yard line with 8:18 remaining in the third quarter, Gates caught the pass from Philip Rivers in the clear just to the side of the goal post, raised his hands and fell to the ground. Teammates mobbed him as he lay on his back.
The TD gave the Chargers a 17-10 lead over the Miami Dolphins.
Gates' score broke a tie with Tony Gonzalez, who retired in 2013 after his 17th season.
On the same day LaDainain Tomlinson was honored at halftime, receiving his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at midfield in the L.A. Chargers' temporary home stadium, Gates essentially assured he will be the next Chargers player to have a bronze bust of his likeness in Canton.
The record is thus far the crowning achievement of a career that long ago stopped being unlikely.
The former college basketball All-American out of Kent State went undrafted in 2003 and was signed by the Chargers as a free agent.
In his second season, he set what was then the NFL record for touchdowns in a season by a tight end with 13. Three more times, he would have double-digit touchdowns, including 12 in 2014.
Gates considered retirement after the '15 season but instead signed a two-year contract that runs through this year. He turned 37 in June and is almost certainly in his final season.
It was the 85th scoring connection between Rivers and Gates, third-most between any quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history.
Earlier in the game, Gates made the 900th reception of his career. He is just the 22nd player (at any position) to have that many catches.
