Crossing Pattern

Antonio Gates says he's the NFL's best tight end. Tony Gonzalez begs to differ. And so, with their teams battling for AFC West supremacy, we told the two "friends" to let it all air out.

AG: Our relationship got off to a bad start during my first Pro Bowl trip, in 2005. I was the AFC starter, but out of respect, I asked him if he wanted to start. Out of pride, he was like, "No, go ahead."

TG: He had a little chip on his shoulder. He was trying to tell me how we should rotate during the game. I was like, "You kidding me? I'm here every year. Trust me, young buck, just kick back and let me show you how this is going to go."

AG: We both played college basketball, so in Hawaii a reporter asked if he was a better basketball player than me. He said yeah. It was disrespectful. Scouts used to watch me practice. Can Tony say that?

We ended by playing a game of H-O-R-S-E for a TV segment. It was supposed to be fun.

TG: But he was serious.

AG: It was my fault for being so aggressive.

TG: Listen, I'm from Huntington Beach, so I showed up with board shorts and flip-flops. He came out with tennis shoes and basketball shorts!

AG: Of course, I won.

TG: It was just H-O-R-S-E. Mine is more of a power game, anyway.

AG: By my second Pro Bowl, we started talking a little more. And the summer before the 2006 season, we were both in LA for a Madden event, and he said, "Why don't you come out with me tomorrow and play ball?" It was nice that he asked.

TG: But he didn't come. Look, I try to help him out in a number of ways, but he doesn't always listen.

AG: He did give me some good advice on a barber. We even started lifting together.

TG: I wouldn't call it lifting together; we were just at the same gym. Our relationship is similar to the one I had with Shannon Sharpe in his later years. Shannon was outgoing and accepting—more so than me. And much more so than Antonio.

AG: We're not exactly friends, but things are better between us. At the Pro Bowl this year, he was like, "Go ahead, man. I'm getting old."

TG: Hey, I can still get the job done. He's got more touchdowns the past few years, but that has to do with offensive schemes. Our hands are equal …

AG: That's true, but I think he'll admit I'm faster. He's taller, but I don't need a running start to dunk on the goalpost like he does.

TG: Shoot, I hope he doesn't need a running start. Back in the day, I didn't either.

AG: And oh, I'm the better blocker!

TG: That's funny—and untrue. Let's put it this way: I have no idea, because I've never seen him block.

AG: We play the Chiefs again on Dec. 2, and I want it to be known that I'm the best tight end on that field. But after the game, I'll still holla at him.

TG: If we win, he'll head right for the locker room. That's why I always talk to him before the game.

AG: Bottom line, he's finally accepting me as The Guy. He's passing the torch.

TG: There'll be no passing of the torch. Yeah, that's never going to happen.

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