Gates is now a backup lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, he plays for the hated Philadelphia Eagles, who are preparing to play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the 2025 Super Bowl. If you are a New York Giants fan, Eagles hatred is understandable. Required, even. It is hard, though, not to feel good for former Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates.
The one-time Giant is now a barely-used backup for Philadelphia. He played just 96 offensive snaps for the Eagles this season, 68 of those coming against the Giants in a meaningless season finale.
The fact that Gates, 29, is still in the league and gets to participate in a Super Bowl is amazing.
Giants fans should remember the gruesome injury Gates suffered against the Washington Football Team in 2021, breaking his left tibia and fibula. Gates faced the possibility of losing that leg when swelling from compartment syndrome quickly set in. Gates also subsequently dealt with an infection in the leg that slowed the healing.
Despite all of that, Gates returned to play 10 games (eight starts) for the Giants in 2022. He was with the Washington Commanders last season and has been with the Eagles throughout the 2024 season.
“It was tough to get back from. I was there for a little bit,” Gates said Monday night during the Super Bowl opening night media scrum in the Caesar’s Superdome. “I had doctors tell me I wasn’t going to be able to play football again. It was tough to hear and tough to maybe actually happen. But I persevered through that and worked my butt off to get back to where I was.”
Gates has been trying to soak in the Super Bowl experience.
“I can’t even put it into words. It’s been pretty cool,” Gates said. “I’ve been trying to take each and every day in and out of time and try not to get too high or too low.
“We’re here to win a football game at the end of the day. That’s where I’m trying to focus on.”
Gates has enjoyed his season Philadelphia, which has included a chance to work with highly-regarded offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
“It’s awesome. It’s a cool place. The standard here is awesome. The staff is great, the offensive line coach, the guys are a good mix,” Gates said. “From Lane [Johnson down to Laekin [Vakalahi, a practice squad tackle], everybody works hard in our group. We’re trying to bring incredible effort every day. That’s what our job is. It’s cool to learn. I think I’ve gotten a lot better.”
— Interview transcript provided by Pro Football Network.
