Shannon Sharpe says Antonio Gates's entire career will be questioned due to PED suspension
Antonio Gates's recent four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs drew the ire of another all-time great tight end.
Former Denver Broncos legend Shannon Sharpe said Gates's credibility can be questioned, and some could wonder if the San Diego Chargers star's entire career was tainted by illicit substance use.
"It calls into question everything that he’s ever accomplished,” Sharpe said on Sirius XM NFL Radio via Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. "If he does it at the beginning of his career because he was an undrafted free agent, people are gonna say he did it to get in the league. Now he did it Year 13, Year 14 - People are going to say he did it to remain in the league. It does, it makes you question everything someone has ever accomplished."
Gates and Sharpe are widely considered two of the best tight ends in NFL history, the latter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Their careers mirror each other in many ways. Like Gates, Sharpe's road to the NFL wasn't easily paved, as he was selected in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Broncos. However, each went on to be named to eight Pro Bowls
It'll be interesting to see whether Sharpe's comments hold weight when Gates is on the Hall of Fame ballot.