Two Kent State University alumni reached major milestones Friday during Pro Football Hall of Fame Week, with Antonio Gates receiving his gold jacket and Mary Kay Cabot accepting a prestigious journalism award ahead of Saturday's enshrinement ceremony.
Gates, who starred on Kent State's basketball team from 2001-03, will become just the second Golden Flash to earn enshrinement alongside linebacker Jack Lambert, who was inducted in 1990. The Detroit native compiled a 52-15 record and led the Golden Flashes to their first Mid-American Conference regular-season championship and Elite Eight appearance.
Despite never playing college football, Gates signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2003 and revolutionized the tight end position during his 16-season career. His 955 receptions, 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns include the most receiving touchdowns ever by a tight end.
Gates will be officially enshrined Saturday during the Class of 2025 ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium alongside Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe.
๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ท๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ!#GoFlashesโก๏ธ pic.twitter.com/3ojlO1nnG2
โ Kent State Athletics (@KentStAthletics) August 2, 2025
Cabot, who graduated summa cum laude from Kent State in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in news, received the 2025 Bill Nunn Jr. Award from the Professional Football Writers of America on Friday evening. The honor recognizes a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to professional football coverage.
Cabot's career began with an internship at The Plain Dealer while she was a Kent State student in 1983. More than 40 years later, she has become synonymous with Cleveland Browns coverage and is only the second woman to receive the Nunn Award, following Charean Williams in 2018.
The week's festivities began Thursday night with the Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. Gates was introduced on the field alongside his fellow inductees before the game that opened the NFL's 106th season.
Gates worked with fellow alumnus Jon Kendle during his Hall of Fame exhibit preparation. Kendle, who holds two degrees from Kent State and serves as vice president of museum and archives at the Hall of Fame, helped curate Gates' display, which includes a purple cleat honoring his late sister Pamela, who died of lupus in 2014.
@kentstateu After his elite run with the Flashes followed by his electric career with the Chargers, Kent State alum and @Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Antonio Gates is back home for one golden weekend.โก๏ธ๐ @los angeles chargers #KentState #FlashesForever #HallOfFame โฌ original sound - Kent State
Gates received his gold jacket Friday evening during the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner, which followed the Fashion Show at Canton Memorial Civic Center and Fan Fest on the Hall of Fame campus.
Saturday's festivities begin with the Grand Parade at 8 a.m. in downtown Canton, followed by Fan Fest from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Class of 2025 Enshrinement ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
