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Antonio Gates, a 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, has vehemently denied any connection to the sprawling city. gambling scandal it sent shockwaves through the NBA and the sports world at large.
Denise White, Gates' business manager, issued a statement denying reports linking the former NFL tight end to alleged mob-backed poker schemes.
“Antonio Gates was not involved or accused of any wrongdoing. Claims to the contrary are false and unfounded. There will be no further comment on this matter,” White, CEO of EAG Sports Management, said in a statement released Monday.
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates watches replay from the sideline at the StubHub Center in Carson on October 7, 2018. (Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images)
Sunday Podcaster and TV Host Pablo Torre reported that Gates allegedly “organized” as well as “participated in” a fraudulent poker game. The game in question was reportedly played in Miami. Moreover, Torre stated that Curtis Meeks also “organized” this illegal operation.
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Meeks was among more than 30 people named in unsealed indictments last week. Gates was not named in federal documents.
Head Coach of the Portland Trail Blazers Chauncey BillupsMiami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones were among the high-profile figures arrested by federal investigators.
A basketball sits on the court next to the NBA logo during a Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Federal investigators accused Rozier of disclosing classified information about player availability that was allegedly used to influence betting. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, was allegedly involved in organizing and running complex illegal poker operations. Jones was also allegedly involved in the complex scheme.
Investigators said the illegal operation was highly organized and targeted players under the guise of legitimacy. However, the games were structured in such a way that they did not allow for fair results.
According to the FBI indictment, the illegal gambling ring was connected to the Mafia.
Gates spent his entire 16-year NFL career with Chargers organization.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates gestures during warmups before the game against Washington on December 10, 2017 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
During that time, he was named to eight Pro Bowls. He's the Chargers' director of receptions. He finished his illustrious career with 116 touchdowns.
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Gates' path to the NFL was unconventional. In college, he decided to play basketball instead of football. Then he went undrafted in 2003.
Gates is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.
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