Check out 619 Sports later tonight for a postgame videocast after the Chargers/Raiders season opener!
The Chargers tight end is healthy and thankful to be in the NFL. He tells 619 Sports about his feelings taking the field on Monday night, and how the Raiders have become a “homecoming game” for the Chargers:
(due to NFL rules we had to take this sound down after 24 hours. The transcript is below)
Antonio Gates
What goes through your mind as you take the field in Oakland and when you see the Black Hole?
“Obviously, the first thing you think about walking on the field is how blessed we are to be playing in the NFL. To see those fans, and that Black Hole, and how excited they are to support their team and their city, it’s unbelievable.
“The second thing that goes through my mind is how the rivalry over time has made it possible for us to compete the way we (the Chargers and Raiders) compete now. There were guys who paved the way before us. And when I’m out there, I want to represent the San Diego Chargers, the present, future, and the past, that shows you, hey! When we play the Raiders, it’s a little bit personal. It’s one of those old-time rivalries where it’s almost like a homecoming, in a sense, where you have to win a game. That’s how I feel.”
Do you sense that the Raiders are getting ticked off that you’ve beaten them 11 times in a row? Is that something you can tell out on the field, the frustration?
“They have always been competitive. One thing you can bet is, the Raiders will play 110% against the San Diego Chargers. With that being said, the past hasn’t ever given me extra motivation. We’re not the team from last year, we’re not the team from two years ago, we’re this year’s team: the 2009-2010 San Diego Chargers. Now, the Raiders are a different team too. They’re not the team we beat 11 consecutive times. They have a different system, different coaching staff, and different players. You’re playing the 2009-2010 Raiders, so your focus has to be on them, and if you happen to win the 12th consecutive game against them, then we can talk about it.”
MORE Chargers/Raiders preview:
For Bolts, ‘08 Was Supposed To Be Great
Chargers/Raiders: What To Watch For (guest: Josh Lewin)
3 Questions for Jamal Williams
