Ben Coates

Ben Terence Coates Jr. was born on August 16, 1969, in Greenwood, South Carolina. He began playing football in his senior year at Greenwood High School before attending Livingstone College. At Livingstone, Coates excelled as a multi-sport athlete in both football and basketball. On the football field, he set school records with 103 receptions for 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns as a tight end. His performance at the NCAA Division II level, despite limited national attention, positioned him as a top tight end prospect. Coates was later inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame in 2018.

Coates was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. His initial two seasons were characterized by limited activity, with 10 catches for 95 yards and one touchdown in his rookie year (1991) and 20 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns in his second season (1992). His career trajectory shifted significantly in 1993 with the arrival of quarterback Drew Bledsoe and head coach Bill Parcells. Parcells’ offensive strategy, which emphasized the tight end position, led to Coates becoming a primary target. In 1993, he led the Patriots with 53 receptions for 629 yards and eight touchdowns.

The 1994 season marked a breakout year for Coates, as he recorded 96 receptions for 1,174 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, setting a new record for receptions by a tight end at that time. This achievement earned him his first of five consecutive Pro Bowl selections. He maintained high levels of production, with 62 catches for 682 yards and nine touchdowns in 1996, contributing to the Patriots’ appearance in Super Bowl XXXI. After nine seasons with the Patriots, Coates was released following the 1999 season. He then joined the Baltimore Ravens for the 2000 season, where he contributed to their Super Bowl XXXV championship. Upon his retirement, Coates was recognized as the fourth all-time leading tight end in NFL history by receptions and was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2008. He also pursued a coaching career, including roles at Livingstone College, with the Cleveland Browns as tight ends coach, and as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys and Frankfurt Galaxy.