Former Lions wide receiver Golden Tate trying another sport

With 11 NFL seasons as a wide receiver under his belt, former Lion Golden Tate is going back to another sport.

Golden Tate has spent 11 seasons as an NFL wide receiver, including four-plus seasons (2014-2018) with the Detroit Lions. During his four full seasons in Detroit, he never had less than 90 receptions and he topped 1,000 yards three times.

But Tate was out of football last season outside of a brief stint on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad, and there have been no known opportunities for him to latch on with a team heading into the 2022 season. So, at least for now, he’s pivoting to another sport.

According to an announcement from the West Coast League, Tate has signed with the Port Angeles Lefties.

"I am extremely thankful,” Tate said, “to the West Coast League and the Port Angeles Lefties for allowing me to join their league. As some might know, I was drafted twice in baseball. As a child, my first love was baseball, so I’m excited about the opportunity to compete against some of the best young players in the league. I look forward to having a lot of fun and exploring baseball more.”"

Golden Tate is not new at baseball

Baseball is not a totally new sport for Tate. He played in high school and early in college at Notre Dame, before shifting his full focus to football. As he alluded to, he was drafted in baseball twice. The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted him out of high school in the 42nd round of the 2007 draft, but he instead went to college. In 2010, the San Francisco Giants took him in the 50th round of the draft.

Tate last played baseball competitively in 2008, his sophomore season at Notre Dame.

Per the announcement of his signing, Tate is slated to make his debut in the Lefties’ lineup as the centerfielder on Tuesday night against the visiting Bend Elks.

Former Titans quarterback Jake Locker and Bills safety Jordan Poyer played in the WCL before starting their NFL careers. Tate will be the first former NFL player to play in the league.