Two Kent State University alumni will be in the spotlight this week as the Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates its Class of 2025, with Antonio Gates set for enshrinement Saturday and Mary Kay Cabot receiving prestigious recognition for her four decades of sports journalism excellence.
Gates, who starred on Kent State’s basketball team from 2001-03, will be enshrined Saturday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, becoming just the second Golden Flash to earn a gold jacket alongside linebacker Jack Lambert, who was inducted in 1990.
The Detroit native dominated the hardwood at Kent State, compiling a 52-15 record and leading the Golden Flashes to their first MAC 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 over 16 seasons. His career numbers – 955 receptions, 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns – include the most receiving touchdowns ever by a tight end.
Cabot, who graduated summa cum laude from Kent State in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in news, will be honored Friday evening as the 2025 Bill Nunn Jr. Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America. The award recognizes a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to professional football through 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 prestigious Nunn Award, following Charean Williams in 2018.
“I am truly overwhelmed and humbled to receive this prestigious award," Cabot said. "I am especially grateful to be only the second female to win this award after the great Charean Williams, and I know there will be many more in the future.”
Both alumni represent the continuing impact of Kent State graduates in professional sports, with Gates working 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.
Hall of Fame Week Schedule
The celebration begins Wednesday with Play Football First Play, featuring thousands of children forming a human chain to pass a football along a 3-mile route from downtown Canton to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions kicks off the NFL’s 106th season at 8 p.m.
Friday’s events include the Fashion Show at 11 a.m. at Canton Memorial Civic Center, followed by Fan Fest on the Hall of Fame campus from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The day concludes with the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner at 5 p.m., where Cabot will be honored and Gates will receive his gold jacket.
Saturday’s festivities begin with the Grand Parade at 8 a.m. in downtown Canton, followed by Fan Fest from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The Class of 2025 Enshrinement ceremony, featuring Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe, begins at 1 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.