FormerCharger Gates finds a new way to compete

In 16 NFLseasons,formerChargerstightendAntonioGatesused histalentedfeet to assemble a Hall of Fame-worthycareer with 11,841 yardsand 116 touchdowns.There’s stillmagicleft inthose route runners,apparently.

Gates, 41, usedthosesamefeet to transformhimself to 1963 anda Virginiamountainlodge, channelingPatrick Swayze’s character JohnnyCastleintheiconicmovie, “Dirty Dancing.”

Instead of worrying about flag routes,Gatesfocusedon a freshand completelyforeign typeoffootwork in the current Fox reality show, “TheRealDirty Dancing.” Ready set stress.

“Isaid,letmetry thisthing,”Gatessaid. “I was very uncomfortable. Never danced,never had a class. Ibarelydancedonmy weddingday.” dangling aloneabove thetrees, the 35-year-old godfather of snowboardingcried.

“It was sort oflikeI was sad,” White says recalling thestory overthephone two monthslater.

“But thenit was likea joyfulness because I was sittingthere thinking:‘Like, wow what a run, you knew thisday would come,like you know it’s inevitablethisis going to happenatsome point, and to know that todayisthat day. Thisdecisionhasbeenmade.’”

White madesure the world heard his decisionSaturdayin Beijing, telling reporters,“Inmy mind,I’ve decidedthiswillbemy last competition.”

Notpressure,inspiration

Before White could retire after his fifth Olympics,hehad to

SEE WHITE • D3

Roddy was awarded two free throwswith 1.7 seconds left. Madethe first,missed the second, and they went to overtime.(Youknow the saying:Balldon’tlie.)

Here wasa similar call

SEE AZTECS D6

D6 No.7Arizonapulls away latetotopNo. 19USC.

Nevada at Aztecs

Today: 1p.m., ViejasArena Line: Aztecs by 121⁄2

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