(S16) - PT1 - NFL

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While their off the field personalities are certainly far different, Arizona Outlaws tight end Jammerson Irving has longed modeled game on the field, as well as the preperation off of it, to the legendary San Diego tight end and future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. Both Irving and Gates did not start out their careers looking to play professional football, but the sport found them as their similar size led them to professional football from their original sports: sprinting for Irving and basketball for Gates. Irving was too heavy to have a legitimate shot as a world class sprinter, and Gates too short to play his preferred position on the basketball court. But each was oozing with athleticism, and through hard work, weight training and dedication, found away to the gridiron.

On the field, their games are also very similar. They use their big bodies and high end speed to get down feild, box their opponents out, and come down with the football. Gates blocking skills continued progress as he added pro strength and learned the finer nuances of the game, eventually becoming a force there as well. Jammerson hopes to follow in Gates' foot steps here, as he worked diligently to hone the smaller details that would allow to use his hands to open up running room for the trio of running backs on the outlaws roster. There is still a long career ahead for Irving, and even accomplishing half what his tight end role model was able would see him have n excellent professional career.