Antonio Gates, coping after not being voted into Hall of Fame, lauds 49ers' George Kittle

LAS VEGAS — Antonio Gates, who helped transform the tight end position, said he felt pain after being denied entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday. After all, he was widely expected to be voted in as a first-ballot inductee.

But on Friday, he said he felt something else, too.

“I feel like I let the people who went through the journey with me down,’’ said Gates, an eight-time NFL Pro Bowler with the Chargers during a career that spanned from 2003 to 2018. “You know, like your family. The people who understands what’s beneath the surface, all the work you put in, the coaching staffs, the players who played with you. They’re like, ‘What?’

“So I think that’s one of those things where you think, man, in due time we’ll get there, man.’’

Gates clearly relishes his role in reshaping the position of tight end from that of a primary blocker to an athletic pass-catcher as well. And he praised two star tight ends who will be playing in Super Bowl 58 – Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.

SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.

But it’s Kittle who has separated himself from all of the league’s tight ends, according to Gates.

“He has the biggest impact on his team because he has what I call a dual threat,’’ Gates said. “His ability to block and his ability to pass-catch is probably the best combination in NFL history.

“I’m not saying he’s the best (tight end ever), but he’s got best combination. ... He’s able to dominate in the run game and, I don’t know, he might have a loose screw or something.’’

With that, a grin spread across Gates’ face. He grinned perhaps more than expected a day after the Hall-of-Fame snub.

“I think the disheartening part of when you don’t make it is is that you made it so close,’’ he said. “It’s like getting to the championship and losing. …

“But how you handle it moving forward is the most important thing.’’