This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2012)

The 2005 Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2004 season. The game was played February 13, 2005, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was AFC 38 - NFC 27. The most valuable player was Peyton Manning of the Colts. The game holds the record as the latest Pro Bowl played during the calendar year.

Game summary[link]

The game started off slowly. The AFC was forced to punt away its first possession, and the NFC missed a field goal from 43 yards out. Two plays later, the AFC opened up scoring with a 62 yard pass from Peyton Manning to his Indianapolis Colts teammate, Marvin Harrison. The NFC drove back quickly, but Donovan McNabb's pass was intercepted by Joey Porter. Manning then hooked up with Hines Ward for a 41 yard score, and the AFC led 14-0. The NFC came back with a time consuming drive that spanned the end of the first quarter to the beginning of the second, and ended with a 12 yard run by Brian Westbrook to bring the NFC within 7. However, David Akers' attempted onside kick would prove costly, as Ward recovered the kick and returned it 39 yards for a score, the first ever kickoff return for a touchdown in Pro Bowl history. Daunte Culpepper attempted to bring the NFC back, but was intercepted by Takeo Spikes. That interception led to another Manning touchdown, this time a 12 yard pass to Antonio Gates which gave the AFC a comfortable 28-7 lead. The NFC once again came down the field, led by Culpepper, but the drive was not without problems. On the second play, Torry Holt caught a pass but was hit by Tory James, causing a fumble. John Lynch recovered the fumble for the AFC, but the play was negated after a penalty on Marcus Stroud. Akers ended up kicking a 33 yard field goal to bring the score to 28-10, which is how the first half ended.

The third quarter was all NFC, who started off the half by scoring within the first 3 minutes, when Michael Vick hit Holt with a 27 yard pass to make the score 28-17. They later picked off Tom Brady when Lito Sheppard intercepted a pass on the NFC 31. The drive ended when Vick ran it in from 3 yards out, making the score 28-24. Adam Vinatieri and Akers then traded field goals before LaDainian Tomlinson added a rushing touchdown to make the score 38-27. The NFC made one final drive late in the game, but Vick was intercepted (the third pick of the game for the AFC) by Nate Clements, and Drew Brees kneeled to end the game. Manning, whose 3 passing TDs led the AFC's offense, won the Most Valuable Player award.

Scoring Summary[link]

• AFC - TD Marvin Harrison 62 yd pass from Peyton Manning (Adam Vinatieri kick) - 8:44 1st
• AFC - TD Hines Ward 41 yd pass from Peyton Manning (Vinatieri kick) - 2:57 1st
• NFC - TD Brian Westbrook 12 yd run (David Akers kick) - 12:15 2nd
• AFC - TD Hines Ward 39 yd kickoff return (Vinatieri kick) - 12:01 2nd
• AFC - TD Antonio Gates 12 yd pass from Peyton Manning (Vinatieri kick) - 6:01 2nd
• NFC - FG David Akers 33 yd - 1:45 2nd
• NFC - TD Torry Holt 27 yd pass from Michael Vick (Akers kick) - 11:19 3rd
• NFC - TD Michael Vick 3 yd run (Akers kick) - 4:10 3rd
• AFC - FG Adam Vinatieri 44 yd - 14:19 4th
• NFC - FG David Akers 29 yd - 9:07 4th
• AFC - TD LaDainian Tomlinson 4 yd run (Vinatieri kick) - 5:56 4th

AFC roster[link]

Offense[link]

Defense[link]

Special teams[link]

NFC roster[link]

Offense[link]

Defense[link]

Special teams[link]

Notes:

^a Replacement selection due to injury or vacancy

^b Injured player; selected but did not play

^c Replacement starter; selected as reserve

^d "Need player"; named by coach

[edit] Officials

• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• Umpire: Roy Ellison
• Head Linesman: Ed Camp
• Line Judge: Chuck Stewart
• Field Judge: Scott Edwards
• Side Judge: Joe Larrew
• Back Judge: Jim Howey

2005 Pro Bowl Cheerleading Squad[link]

• Heather Joy, Arizona Cardinals
• Kim Kennedy, Atlanta Falcons
• Jamie R, Buffalo Bills
• Shannon McClattie, Carolina Panthers
• Tara Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals
• Brandi Redmond, Dallas Cowboys
• Sarah Silva, Denver Broncos
• Julie Rainbolt, Houston Texans
• Jennifer Trock, Indianapolis Colts
• Jill Cottingham, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Kendrea White, Kansas City Chiefs
• Jackie Villarino, Miami Dolphins
• Erin Frey, Minnesota Vikings
• Allison Preston, New England Patriots
• Deryn Derbigny, New Orleans Saints
• Kristin Medwick, Oakland Raiders
• Monica Devlin, Philadelphia Eagles
• Lisa Simmons, San Diego Chargers
• Jany Collaco, San Francisco 49ers
• Kiara Bright, Seattle Seahawks
• Sommer Harris, St. Louis Rams
• Leigh Vollmer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Jenita Smith, Tennessee Titans
• Jamilla Keene, Washington Redskins
• Brandi Redmond, Dallas Cowboys

Stats[link]

• Most players selected from one team:
  • AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers, 9
  • NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, 10
• Most starters from one team:
  • AFC Offense: Indianapolis Colts, 3 (Manning, Harrison, Glenn)
  • AFC Defense: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos, 2 each
  • NFC Offense: Green Bay Packers, 4 (Green,Walker,Henderson, Rivera)
  • NFC Defense: Philadelphia Eagles, 3 (Dawkins, Sheppard, Lewis)
• First time selections:
  • AFC: 17 (7 starters)
  • NFC: 17 (11 starters)
• JC Chasez of *NSYNC was originally slated to perform at halftime, but because of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy (which coincidentally involved another former *NSYNC member, Justin Timberlake), he was asked not to perform (due to the raunchy lyrics of his hit song, "Some Girls Dance With Women"). The NFL asked him to sing the Star-Spangled Banner instead, and he refused. The national anthem was instead performed by Jason Mraz. Halftime entertainment was provided by Don Ho, Jasmine Trias and Kapena in the "Idols and Legends of Aloha" halftime show.
• This game marked the latest the NFL schedule has ever gone, February 13.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: 2005 Pro Bowl

• Pro Bowl 2005 info

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2011)

Antonio Gates

Gates in June 2008
No. 85     San Diego Chargers
Tight end
Personal information
Date of birth: (1980-06-18) June 18, 1980 (age 32)
Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
College: Kent State
Undrafted in 2003
Debuted in 2003 for the San Diego Chargers
Career history
San Diego Chargers (2003–present)
Career highlights and awards
8× Pro Bowl (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) 5× All-Pro (2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010) NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year (2005) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
Receptions 593 Receiving Yards 7,783 Receiving TDs 76 Stats at NFL.com

Antonio D. Gates (born June 18, 1980) is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University. He attended college at Kent State University his junior and senior years after brief stints at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University.^[1] He starred at Central High School (Detroit, Michigan) playing both basketball and football.

College career[link]

After his senior season of high school basketball, Gates was named runner-up for the Mr. Basketball of Michigan award to Dane Fife.^[2] Originally, Gates enrolled at Michigan State University wanting to play football under then-coach Nick Saban as well as basketball under coach Tom Izzo but upon enrolling Saban wanted him to play only football.^[3] Gates then chose to pursue playing basketball by transferring to Eastern Michigan University to play basketball. He played there part of a season, subsequently played at two junior colleges and eventually played two seasons at Kent State University in northeastern Ohio.

As a Golden Flash, Gates played two seasons as power forward. His junior season he averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game ^[4] His senior season he received Honorable Mention All-American Honors from the Associated Press after averaging 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. His senior season his team won its first regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship in school history after finishing the regular season with a 24-5 overall record with a 17-1 record in the MAC. Gates helped the Golden Flashes win their second consecutive MAC tournament and earn its resulting berth in the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament In the NCAA tournament he gave crucial performances that helped Kent State reach the Elite Eight as a 10 seed by upsetting 7 seed Oklahoma State (69-61), 2 seed Alabama (71-58) and 3 seed Pittsburgh (78-73). He finished with a record of 54-16 in two years of playing.^[5]

His jersey number, 44 was retired on Feb 27, 2010 making him just the fourth Golden Flash to receive the honor. His parents names are Vanelia Gates and Henry Gates.

NFL career[link]

San Diego Chargers[link]

After being told by scouts that he was too much of a “tweener” (6′4″) to make the NBA, Gates arranged a workout in front of NFL scouts. As many as 19 teams were believed to have contacted Gates about a try out. Gates chose to work out first for the San Diego Chargers. Recognizing his potential, the Chargers immediately signed him to a contract as an undrafted free agent.

After finishing a solid 2003 rookie season in which he caught 24 passes for 389 yards and two scores, he was picked by many experts to have a breakout season in 2004. That year, only his second season in the NFL, Gates became quarterback Drew Brees' favorite target, finishing the season with 81 receptions for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns. On December 19, Gates tied the NFL season record for touchdowns by a tight end (13) in a 21–0 win over the Cleveland Browns, and he went on to break that record in an overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on December 26. Gates was selected to the 2005 Pro Bowl and caught a TD pass from Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning to help the AFC to a 38–27 victory. Additionally, Gates was on the receiving end of a 33 yard pass from teammate Drew Brees in a flea-flicker play selected by fans online.

On August 23, 2005, after holding out for a contract extension, Gates inked a six-year deal worth up to $24 million with the San Diego Chargers. Because of his holdout, Gates was suspended for one game–the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, a loss. Gates went on to have another stellar season, catching 89 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, but the Chargers missed the playoffs by a single win.

With the departure of Drew Brees during the offseason, it was assumed that Gates would suffer a decline in production in 2006, with first-year starter Philip Rivers at the helm. Gates had a relatively quiet start to the season, but he finished the year strongly and ended up with 924 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes on December 10 against Denver to help the Chargers clinch their division.

2008[link]

Gates said he was leaning toward having surgery to repair a dislocated left big toe that slowed his performance during the NFL 2008 Playoffs, but was undecided on whether to have surgery or not, "There is higher chance I'm going to have surgery". Gates also pulled out of his 5th Pro Bowl selection because of his injuries alongside his teammate LaDainian Tomlinson. Gates finished the season with 60 receptions for 704 yards and eight touchdowns.

On February 23, 2008, Gates said he would have foot surgery to fix the injury that has hurt him in the final part of the season. He would face a 4–6 month recovery time. He seemed questionable for Week 1 and even sounded worried about his status for the opening day of the 2008 season, however, he ended up playing every game despite complaints that his toe was bothering him during the first half of the season.

2009[link]

For the 2009 NFL regular season, Gates caught 79 passes for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns. His 1,157 receiving yards is his career high.

2010[link]

Gates began the 2010 season by signing a lucrative 5-year $36 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. In the first nine games of the 2010 season, he had 40 receptions and 9 touchdowns.^[6] Foot injuries slowed the second half of his season. He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl, the seventh consecutive year he was chosen as the AFC starter.^[6]

Records and awards[link]

• On October 3, 2010, Gates became the seventh tight end with 500 career receptions.
• In 2005 and 2006, Antonio Gates was selected as the NFL's All-Pro tight end.

Regular season stats[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official NFL Players' Page: Antonio Gates
• San Diego Chargers Player Bio: Antonio Gates
• Pro-Reference-Football.com Stats: Antonio Gates
• ESPN.Com Kent State basketball statistics