NFLRUSH NFLRUSH talked to Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and asked him some questions about being on the cover of Sports Illustrated Kids and also about what Thanksgiving was like for him as a kid! Here's what Antonio had to say:

NFLRUSH: Antonio, you recently were on the cover of Sports Illustrated Kids. What was that like?

ANTONIO: That was really fun. It was a great experience. I mean, when I was a kid I always wondered what the life of a pro athlete was like. These kids got to see me -- a pro football player -- and ask me things about myself and what I do. It was very cool.

NFLRUSH: With Thanksgiving coming up, Antonio, we're wondering if you have big plans with your family or friends this year?

ANTONIO: I want to see my family but I'm not sure what my schedule will be. We'll be on the road. Luckily, I got to be with my family last year.

NFLRUSH: Do you do anything in the community around Thanksgiving time?

ANTONIO: Yes. We have our Annual Blood Drive to raise money for kids in need and for anyone that needs help. I also help hand out turkeys before Thanksgiving.

NFLRUSH: Antonio, do you have memories of Thanksgiving when you were a kid? Any family traditions you'd always do?

ANTONIO: We would go to my Grandma's house in Michigan and, of course, eat. It was great, we'd just hang out. No traditions really, except we would watch Lions games.

NFLRUSH: What players did you like back then?

ANTONIO: Well, I always looked up to Barry Sanders. Yeah, growing up, I was a big fan of his.

NFLRUSH: After the big Thanksgiving meal did you and your family do anything in particular to work-off the food? Did you go outside and play anything?

ANTONIO: I grew up in Michigan so it was usually really cold at Thanksgiving. Too cold, so we didn't go outside after the meal, we just hung out.

NFLRUSH: How about these days after Thanksgiving - do you try to work-off the food after the big meal?

ANTONIO: Oh yeah. You pay the price for eating so much, you know. I try to jog and do some cardio after eating a lot.

NFLRUSH: But, eating all that food is worth it, right?

ANTONIO: Definitely. It's Thanksgiving!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Antonio and we hope the Chargers keep coming up with Ws. Happy Thanksgiving!

NFLRUSH talked to Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and asked him some questions about keeping healthy during the long season and going back to school with a winner of the NFL Take a Player School Sweepstakes! Here's what Antonio had to say:

NFLRUSH: So, Antonio, you just came from practice. How're you feeling?

ANTONIO: I feel good. Tired, but good.

NFLRUSH: You're more than halfway through the regular season. How do you take care of yourself week-to-week to be ready for every game?

ANTONIO: I just have to make sure to get lots of rest, eat right, drink a lot (of water) and I always eat my veggies.

NFLRUSH: Does it get harder to keep your body healthy as the season goes on?

ANTONIO: It's a long season, but right now I'm feeling good. I try to keep myself battle tough. Luckily, I have my teammates around me - we keep each other going.

NFLRUSH: You're about to go on a road trip. Does your workout routine change when you're not home?

ANTONIO: It changes a bit, varies when we're in a different city. I just have to see how my body feels before I start working out.

NFLRUSH: Antonio, I wanted to ask you about going to Miller Elementary School, in Escondido, CA with Kody, one of the NFL Take a Player to School winners. How was your visit? Did you have a good time with Kody?

ANTONIO: Oh yeah. Kody was great, really an amazing kid. I had a great time at his school. And it was fun meeting his family and taking pictures with them.

NFLRUSH: You went to Kody's class?

ANTONIO: I did. We read some books and I talked to his classmates. I had to raise my hand so I could go to the bathroom. They gave me a pass.

NFLRUSH: They made you follow the rules? How was it being back in school?

ANTONIO: It was great. It gave me perspective and made me think about when I was in school and how those years really affect your life.

NFLRUSH: And you spoke to everyone at Kody's school at an assembly?

ANTONIO: I spoke to the kids about how important it is to stay in school and also the importance of staying fit. They have to stay active! We talked about PLAY 60. I told them that being active just doesn't help you stay in shape, but keeps you focused for school and in your life.

NFLRUSH: That's a great message! And, we heard that you also led the kids in some exercises?

ANTONIO: Yes, we did some stretching, then I led them in a few exercises that I do and finished with some more stretching.

NFLRUSH: Did you play any football with them?

ANTONIO: Absolutely. I tossed the ball to all the 3rd graders. Because it's me, I made it a little competitive - I pided them up into two groups - but it was also fair, so everyone got to catch the ball.

NFLRUSH: We also heard that you got detention! Is that true?

ANTONIO: It is true! I guess I wasn't sharing the ball enough.

NFLRUSH: Did the kids get to ask you questions?

ANTONIO: I answered a lot of questions. Kody was amazing - he knows so much about the Chargers! It was incredible. He knew about the coaches, about coaching changes, about plays. He even asked me a question about the front office (where the management and owners are)! When I was a kid, I didn't know about all that stuff.

Want to know what Antonio Gates does for Thanksgiving? What player did Antonio look up to when he was younger? Don't miss part 5 of the NFLRUSH.com interview with Antonio.

NFLRUSH caught up with Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and asked him some questions about training during the season, what he eats before and after games and about his basketball playing days in college. Here's what Antonio had to say:

NFLRUSH: So Antonio, now that we're into the season, has your training routine changed?

ANTONIO: Yeah, it changes. I continue to stretch a lot, eat right and workout. I treat my body like a high performance car. It has to be maintained right, so it will work well.

NFLRUSH: So, during the season, you're training more or less than during training camp?

ANTONIO: Well, I have to pull back a little bit now that we're playing games. I put out more (energy and exertion) during the season, so I have to replenish my body with fluids. I have to drink fluids all the time.

NFLRUSH: What do you like to eat before games? And after games you must be starving, do you eat in the locker room or go out?

ANTONIO: Let's see, my pre-game meal is always carbs. It's like gas for the body - I have to keep it gassed, so it will run the way I need it to. I eat pasta, chicken, or sometimes egg-white omelets. After a game, I am always starving. I like to eat outside the locker room, though, there's a lot of food there. I have no real preference where I eat. Sometimes I go out with family or friends. If it's late I definitely try not to eat red meat or fried food. I'll have fish or chicken, but I stay away from red meat.

NFLRUSH: Antonio, are you friends with other players off the field? Who do you spend time with?

ANTONIO: Everyone basically has his own way. I will usually hang out with my brother and cousins when they come into town to visit for home games. Other family members sometimes come to the games, so I'll see them afterwards, too.

NFLRUSH: Do you have a workout partner, Antonio?

ANTONIO: Not really. Everyone on the team is accountable for his own actions when it comes to working out. You have to come in and lift during your scheduled time.

NFLRUSH: So, Antonio, how're you feeling, any injuries to speak of?

ANTONIO: Actually, my hand and my ribs. It's rough playing football! So when I'm working out, I try to use lighter weight depending on how my hand or my hamstrings feel. I am very aware of how I'm feeling because I always need to maintain to play well.

NFLRUSH: You played basketball in college. Would you say that the workouts for football are similar to what you did for basketball?

ANTONIO: No, it is different. When I worked out for basketball there was much less lifting. For football, you have to lift to prevent injuries! The stronger you are the better football player you'll be.

NFLRUSH: Are you still in touch with the guys you played basketball with? And do you ever still play hoops?

ANTONIO: Oh yeah, I still speak to some of my old college teammates. And, as far as playing -- I have a court in my backyard, so I like to play a little bit. I play during the off-season and I still go to San Diego State and play ball.

What keeps this superstar motivated to keep pushing the envelope? What does Antonio do when he's not on the field? The answers to these questions and more in part 4 of the NFLRUSH interview with Antonio Gates. You don't want to miss it.

NFLRUSH caught up with Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and asked him some questions about his favorite foods and music, and what he'd be doing if he wasn't a pro athlete. Here's what Antonio had to say:

ANTONIO: I cook for myself, but no one else! I do have a chef (that cooks for me), since I really am not a natural chef.

ANTONIO: I love Greek Chicken Salad, but my favorite meal is baked fish. And I definitely try to stay away from bread.

ANTONIO: I usually have either a large bowl of oatmeal or cream of wheat.

ANTONIO: I definitely try to relax - I get a massage or I see a chiropractor. You have to stay fresh and take care of your body. Before a game I ice my shoulders, knees and my legs.

ANTONIO: Mostly rap or R&B -- it just depends on my mood.

ANTONIO: I've always loved sports. I love to compete. I also always wanted to be a coach. If I wasn't playing football, I think I'd be a police officer or a fire fighter.

ANTONIO: I can do as many as I want. But, let's see, I can do 60 pushups and 100 sit-ups without stopping.

NFLRUSH caught up with Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers, and asked him some questions about staying fit and how kids, like you, benefit from playing a sport. Here's what Antonio had to say:

NFLRUSH: How do you prepare for an upcoming season?

ANTONIO: Well, you have to think of your body as your corporation. You have to keep it fit and healthy. Everything I eat and drink affects my performance on the field. I always stay hydrated and I eat carbs before working out.

NFLRUSH: So, we heard that Training Camp is the most intense time in the NFL because it prepares you for where you are now, week 4 in the NFL season. What did you do at Training Camp?

ANTONIO: It's rough. Rough. We have two practices a day, one lifting session every day and I watch film in between. Being at camp is mentally and physically tough, but it's all part of the process. One thing I definitely do is drink tons of water and Gatorade® to keep my energy up.

NFLRUSH: Speaking of Gatorade®, do you happen to have a favorite flavor?

ANTONIO: Well, there are so many flavors. I have to say, I don't really have a favorite. I always stay hydrated and, honestly, I prefer to drink water.

NFLRUSH: Antonio, the PLAY 60 campaign wants kids to be active for 60 minutes a day. Do you think kids can PLAY 60?

ANTONIO: Oh, yeah. Kids should do anything they like to do. I think all kids should join something, some team that gets them active and gives them exercise. Kids can learn from being on a team -- it teaches you respect, leadership and teamwork.

NFLRUSH: You're a pro athlete now, but you played sports all the time when you were in school. In your opinion, how does sports help with school?

ANTONIO: I know that playing sports teaches discipline to kids. And, playing sports and training for a team helps you learn and think better.

How many pushups do you think Antonio can do? To find out the answer and how the first week of the season went for Antonio, check back soon for Part 2 of the NFLRUSH interview with Antonio Gates!