NFL teams
Sam Alipour, ESPN The Magazine 16y

Crossing Pattern

San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Kent State Golden Flashes, Boston College Eagles

AG: Our relationship got off to a bad start during my first Pro Bowl trip, in 2005. I was the AFC starter, but out of respect, I asked him if he wanted to start. Out of pride, he was like, "No, go ahead."

TG: He had a little chip on his shoulder. He was trying to tell me how we should rotate during the game. I was like, "You kidding me? I'm here every year. Trust me, young buck, just kick back and let me show you how this is going to go."

AG: We both played college basketball, so in Hawaii a reporter asked if he was a better basketball player than me. He said yeah. It was disrespectful. Scouts used to watch me practice. Can Tony say that?

We ended by playing a game of H-O-R-S-E for a TV segment. It was supposed to be fun.

TG: But he was serious.

AG: It was my fault for being so aggressive.

TG: Listen, I'm from Huntington Beach, so I showed up with board shorts and flip-flops. He came out with tennis shoes and basketball shorts!

AG: Of course, I won.

TG: It was just H-O-R-S-E. Mine is more of a power game, anyway.

AG: By my second Pro Bowl, we started talking a little more. And the summer before the 2006 season, we were both in LA for a Madden event, and he said, "Why don't you come out with me tomorrow and play ball?" It was nice that he asked.

TG: But he didn't come. Look, I try to help him out in a number of ways, but he doesn't always listen.

AG: He did give me some good advice on a barber. We even started lifting together.

TG: I wouldn't call it lifting together; we were just at the same gym. Our relationship is similar to the one I had with Shannon Sharpe in his later years. Shannon was outgoing and accepting—more so than me. And much more so than Antonio.

AG: We're not exactly friends, but things are better between us. At the Pro Bowl this year, he was like, "Go ahead, man. I'm getting old."

TG: Hey, I can still get the job done. He's got more touchdowns the past few years, but that has to do with offensive schemes. Our hands are equal …

AG: That's true, but I think he'll admit I'm faster. He's taller, but I don't need a running start to dunk on the goalpost like he does.

TG: Shoot, I hope he doesn't need a running start. Back in the day, I didn't either.

AG: And oh, I'm the better blocker!

TG: That's funny—and untrue. Let's put it this way: I have no idea, because I've never seen him block.

AG: We play the Chiefs again on Dec. 2, and I want it to be known that I'm the best tight end on that field. But after the game, I'll still holla at him.

TG: If we win, he'll head right for the locker room. That's why I always talk to him before the game.

AG: Bottom line, he's finally accepting me as The Guy. He's passing the torch.

TG: There'll be no passing of the torch. Yeah, that's never going to happen.

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