The thought probably went through Philip Rivers’ mind hundreds of times in his NFL career.
Shoot, Antonio is probably over there somewhere, dadgummit.
"We had a Gates Rule," Rivers told Chargers.com this summer.
Wait, a what?
"You had your read and then your progression and then it was The Gates Rule," Rivers explained. "He was so unique that we had a Gates Rule.
"Pretty much, if you think Gates can win then it overrides everything we just said [in the huddle]," Rivers added. "For the most part, it took a lot to take him away."
As Gates prepares to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, Rivers recently reflected on his teammate's illustrious and historic career.
And perhaps it's only fitting that Rivers' first touchdown pass in his first game as an NFL starter in 2006 went to Gates.
That 4-yard connection was the start of something magical over the next 13 seasons as the duo combined for 89 touchdowns.
That's the second-most by a quarterback and tight end in NFL history.
"There's no doubt that there was an element of trust that he was going to win, even with bad leverage, even against the coverage that wasn't ideal," Rivers told Chargers.com this summer.
Gates' athletic background, of course, is well known.
He was a star college basketball player who will soon become the first player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to have never played college football.
Rivers recently said Gates arrived in the NFL at the perfect time where opposing defenses had no answer for his 6-foot-4 and 255-pound frame.
"What made him a little different was his combination of size and speed. And I don't want to just credit the basketball part of his background," Rivers said. "I think that has something to do with it, but I think it would be shorting him to say that's why he was good at this.
"I do think basketball helped him, but he had a unique ability to understand leverage and how they were defending him," Rivers continued.
He later added: "And that was really ahead of his time when he hit his stride. That stretch of 10 years was unbelievable. He was very subtle with his hands, his hand movement and knocking guys' hands off. Just the little subtilties that he was able to do to create separation. he was in a league of his own for a long time. Now there's other guys but I feel like he almost was the trendsetter in terms of this style of tight end play."
Once Rivers became entrenched as the Bolts starting quarterback, the touchdowns (and wins) piled up for the Chargers.
Gates caught at least eight touchdown passes in each of Rivers' first five seasons as the starter, and the duo combined for 79 scores over a decade-long stretch from 2006 to 2015.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career. Gates recorded 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns throughout his time with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Take a look back at the best photos of Antonio Gates' career.
Rivers recalled a great Gates' anecdote that summed up what it was like to play with him.
"There were times when maybe we were struggling a little bit, maybe we had a couple three-and-outs or maybe we were stopped on a series or two," Rivers said. "Or maybe it was just a quiet game for Gates thus far. We would break the huddle and he would either kind of tap me on the way by or he would make sure that I heard him and he would say, 'Come on now.'
"And I knew that that meant, 'Alright, he's about to get rolling' and, 'Hey, what am I doing? We've got to get him the ball,'" Rivers added.
But what Rivers remembers the most about his teammate and friend is the bond they built off the field over the years.
"I think it's probably too easy to just say, 'Hall of Famer.' To me, the first thing that comes into my mind personally is [being] his teammate, his locker mate … 15 years our lockers were side by side," River said.
"And then, a competitor. He's as competitive as a guy as I've ever been around. In everything," Rivers added. "He would probably tell you he's undefeated in arguments, dominoes. It didn't matter what we were doing, he was competing."
The touchdowns — all 89 of them — were just a bonus.
Chargers Legend Antonio Gates' 116 career touchdown receptions ranks No. 1 all-time among tight ends, with the Bolts holding a 53-39 record when Gates found the endzone. Take a look back at each score from his legendary career.
Touchdown #1 | November 9, 2003 vs Minnesota | Passer: Doug Flutie
Touchdown #2 | November 30, 2003 vs Kansas City | Passer: Doug Flutie
Touchdown #3 | October 3, 2004 vs Tennessee | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #4 | October 10, 2004 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #5 | October 10, 2004 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #6 | October 31, 2004 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #7 | October 31, 2004 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #8 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #9 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #10 | November 7, 2004 vs New Orleans | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #11 | November 21, 2004 at Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #12 | November 28, 2004 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #13 | November 28, 2004 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #14 | December 19, 2004 at Cleveland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #15 | December 26, 2004 at Indianapolis | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #16 | September 25, 2005 vs New York Giants | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #17 | October 10, 2005 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #18 | October 23, 2005 at Philadelphia | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #19 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #20 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #21 | October 30, 2005 vs Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #22 | November 20, 2005 vs Buffalo | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #23 | December 4, 2005 vs Oakland | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #24 | December 11, 2005 vs Miami | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #25 | December 24, 2005 at Kansas City | Passer: Drew Brees
Touchdown #26 | September 11, 2006 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #27 | October 8, 2006 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #28 | October 15, 2006 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #29 | October 22, 2006 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #30 | November 26, 2006 vs Oakland | Passer: LaDainian Tomlinson
Touchdown #31 | December 3, 2006 at Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #32 | December 10, 2006 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #33 | December 10, 2006 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #34 | December 31, 2006 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #35 | September 9, 2007 vs Chicago | Passer: LaDainian Tomlinson
Touchdown #36 | September 16, 2007 at New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #37 | October 7, 2007 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #38 | October 28, 2007 vs Houston | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #39 | October 28, 2007 vs Houston | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #40 | November 18, 2007 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #41 | November 25, 2007 vs Baltimore | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #42 | November 25, 2007 vs Baltimore | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #43 | December 9, 2007 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #44 | September 7, 2008 vs Carolina | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #45 | September 22, 2008 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #46 | September 28, 2008 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #47 | October 12, 2008 vs New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #48 | October 26, 2008 vs New Orleans in London | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #49 | November 9, 2008 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #50 | December 21, 2008 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #51 | December 21, 2008 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #52 | October 4, 2009 at Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #53 | October 4, 2009 at Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #54 | November 29, 2009 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #55 | November 29, 2009 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #56 | December 13, 2009 at Dallas | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #57 | December 20, 2009 vs Cincinnati | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #58 | December 25, 2009 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #59 | January 3, 2010 vs Washington | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #60 | September 13, 2010 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #61 | September 19, 2010 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #62 | September 19, 2010 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #63 | September 26, 2010 at Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #64 | October 3, 2010 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #65 | October 3, 2010 vs Arizona | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #66 | October 10, 2010 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #67 | October 24, 2010 vs New England | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #68 | October 31, 2010 vs Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #69 | December 5, 2010 vs Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #70 | October 23, 2011 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #71 | November 6, 2011 vs Green Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #72 | November 20, 2011 at Chicago | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #73 | November 27, 2011 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #74 | December 11, 2011 vs Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #75 | December 11, 2011 vs Buffalo | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #76 | January 1, 2012 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #77 | October 15, 2012 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #78 | October 15, 2012 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #79 | November 1, 2012 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #80 | November 11, 2012 at Tampa Bay | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #81 | December 16, 2012 vs Carolina | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #82 | December 23, 2012 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #83 | December 30, 2012 vs Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #84 | September 22, 2013 at Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #85 | September 29, 2013 vs Dallas | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #86 | November 17, 2013 at Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #87 | December 29, 2013 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #88 | September 14, 2014 vs Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #89 | September 14, 2014 vs Seattle | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #91 | October 5, 2014 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #92 | October 5, 2014 vs New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #93 | October 12, 2014 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #94 | October 19, 2014 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #95 | October 23, 2014 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #96 | October 23, 2014 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #97 | December 14, 2014 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #98 | December 20, 2014 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #99 | December 20, 2014 at San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #100 | October 12, 2015 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #101 | October 12, 2015 vs Pittsburgh | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #102 | November 29, 2015 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #103 | November 29, 2015 at Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #104 | January 3, 2016 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #105 | September 18, 2016 vs Jacksonville | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #106 | October 9, 2016 at Oakland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #107 | October 30, 2016 at Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #108 | November 6, 2016 vs Tennessee | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #109 | November 13, 2016 vs Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #110 | December 24, 2016 at Cleveland | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #111 | January 1, 2017 vs Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #112 | September 17, 2017 vs Miami | Passer: Philip Rivers | SETS NFL RECORD FOR TOUCHDOWNS BY A TIGHT END
Touchdown #113 | December 16, 2017 at Kansas City | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #114 | December 24, 2017 at New York Jets | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #115 | September 30, 2018 vs San Francisco | Passer: Philip Rivers
Touchdown #116 | November 18, 2018 vs Denver | Passer: Philip Rivers
