Despite dealing with injuries for a portion of this season, 
It's been an eventful year for Gates, who also signed a long-term contract with the Chargers and caught his 500th career pass.
Gates needs five touchdown catches in the final seven games to set a new NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end in a single season.
Tyler Scurlock; Apple Valley, Calif.
Which NBA player, past or present, does your game most resemble?
I played like (power forward) Rodney Rogers but I could pass better.
Ryan Diaz; El Cajon, Calif.
If you hadn’t become so successful in Pro Football, what would you be doing right now?
When I was a kid being a fighter was one of my goals.
Monty DiBernardo; San Clemente, Calif.
Have you ever spoken to former Chargers and Hall of Famer, Kellen Winslow, about the tight end position in Norv Turner’s offense vs. the tight end under Air Coryell and how the game has changed?
I haven’t, but from what I hear the guys are bigger and faster. Now a safety can be 225 to 230 pounds and run a 4.4 40-yard dash. Back then safeties were 200 pounds. The evolution of the game has changed things. Everything is bigger and faster from my understanding.
Mike Hughes; Bozeman; Mont.
You seem to be wide open a lot this season. Is there anything you’re doing different or any secret tricks you’ve learned that help you get so open?
Understanding more and seeing the game from the perspective of a student. It has helped me perform they way I have been able to throughout this season.
Rick Hull; Chicago
What specifically about playing basketball has been directly transferrable to the gridiron?
Obviously rebounding and reaching the ball at its highest point. That’s something that I bring to the football field. Being able to attack the football at its highest point and hand-eye coordination.
Dan Sullivan; La Mesa, Calif.
You’ve missed a lot of practices due to injuries this season. Although that helps heal your body, does it have any adverse effects to your game?
Most likely. I know it will. In practice you get to see everything firsthand and get repetitions with what’s going to happen in the game. I think once you’re able to do that it helps you out so much more than sitting on the sideline and watching practice.
Becky Morton, Menifee, Calif.
Is it true that you and
Communication. It’s the non-verbal and verbal communication, which is what you need to be successful in anything that you do. Over time you learn his body language, kind like a friend. When you are close to someone you know when they’re upset and when they aren’t. I think over time he’s learned my behavior, my body lean, the way I’m about to break out, etcetera. I think that’s helped me over time.
Jay Tanjuan; Irvine, Calif.
If there was a 5-on-5 basketball tournament, which four teammates would you want to fill out your starting five, including yourself?
The receivers are obviously the better athletes. Malcom, Philip can shoot, and Marcus McNeil. There’s so many guys that can play. If I had to pick four it would be Vincent (Jackson), Malcom (Floyd), Philip (Rivers) and Marcus (McNeill). I’d probably stay on the offensive side.
Harley Facio; Los Angeles
Being one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the NFL, what’s the most valuable thing you’d like to pass on to future tight ends?
Talent comes a dime a dozen. It’s what you do with the talent that separates you from everyone else. When you look around the league now, everyone has a tight end. If they don’t have one, they’re getting one in the first round. Every time you turn on the TV every team has a guy that can make a play at this position. But some guys don’t maximize their ability. Some don’t take the time to understand that their ability is one part of the success story. You can look back in high school at a guy that was a better athlete than you but the ability was only one part of being a success. Over the long haul you have to take care of your body, learn in the classroom, carry yourself (like a professional) off the field and manage your money. All those things are what make up a Hall of Famer to me. When I think about a Hall of Famer I think of longevity.
Kyle Vandermey; Yorba Linda, Calif.
Is there a meaning behind No. 85?
No. It was the only number available at the time. They could’ve given me anything to be on the team (laughter).
Junior Espiritu; San Diego
You have a smooth-sounding voice during your interviews; reminds me of R&B. Do you like singing and are you any good at that as well?
Nah, nah. I’m not into singing, man.
