Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates enters his 15th season in the NFL tied with Tony Gonzalez for the all-time touchdown record among tight ends at 111.
He's accomplished the feat in 66 fewer games played than his retired colleague.
While it'll take him just one well-located reception to set his own record early this season, Gates won't be content to stop there.
"I mean, do I know it's there? Yeah. It's like I'm at the dance, I might as well go to the party because it's within reach. But that isn't my focus at all. It really isn't on my mind. I don't think that way. I guess maybe it's because I haven't wrapped my head around it all yet. I know it's happening, and I know it's a big deal, but it's not like I'm sitting here every day saying, 'I need one. I need one.' But one isn't the destination for me," Gates said, according to Ricky Henne of the team's official website.
"The destination is to surpass just one. I have 16 weeks. The destination for me is whenever I'm done playing, then tally them all up and see where I'm at. So that's what I'm thinking. Now, when the game comes, then yeah probably I'll think about it a little more. But it really isn't anything I'm thinking of. I'm not going out there thinking I need to do something extra in the red zone. I'm still myself."
Career touchdown No. 112 would move Gates into sixth on the all-time list. behind retired wide receivers Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Cris Carter, and Marvin Harrison.
Gates - well-known as a former college basketball star - began his football life with a prominent goal.
"My hope was always just to prove to everyone who Antonio Gates is ... And for my name to mean something."
