Antonio Gates has a career in boxing promotion after football
“I grew up in a boxing world," Gates said. "It was always a passion of mine,” Gates told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview. “My grandfather would take us out in the yard and show us how to throw right hands, left hooks."
Gates said boxing was too time-consuming to pursue as a basketball star at Kent State. Then, once the NFL came calling, he had to shelve his other dream.
Then, legendary trainer and fellow Detroiter Emanuel Steward passed away in 2012. Gates began thinking of his grandfather, the late Henry Hank, who fought as a light heavyweight and finished his career with a 62-30-4 record.
So Gates put on one show. And another. Soon, the tight end launched AG Promotions -- and he hopes that launches his post-NFL career one day.
“There’s so many guys that get into this business and then get out," Gates said. “I meet with kids, sit down with them and get a feel for the vision, i.e. what they want to be."
Added Gates: “I’m not trying to rule the world with the fighters, it’s kind of like I want to help the ones that want to help themselves."