San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates is adamant that he did not ask for a reduced role in the club's offense in the 2015 season.
The 34-year-old had one of the best campaigns of his 12-year career as he scored 12 touchdowns for the AFC West side last season, but reports suggested that he wanted to scale back his workload for the coming campaign.
However, Gates has insisted that he would never ask to played a reduced role for the Chargers because of his competitive nature.
"One thing about me is I love to compete," Gates told U-T San Diego. "I want the ball. It's not a selfish act. It's more so I think I can help us win in certain situations and certain areas, particularly in man coverage. That's the competitive nature I've had in this league since I got to San Diego.
"For me, to put in all this work in all these years and have the opportunity to play and say I don't want to play, I don't know where people got that from. It was probably a misquote or a misunderstanding.
"I ain't asking to play less. Every time I'm in a game, I feel like I have the opportunity to make a play. Why would I want to be on the sideline? That defeats the purpose. The only way you can contribute is by being in the game."
Gates has recorded 788 receptions for 10,014 yards and 72 touchdowns in his 12 years at the AFC West side.
Simon Sinclair
