INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Keenan Allen made more history with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, snagging two catches to become the franchise leader in receptions.
He surpassed Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, who was on hand for the 25-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at SoFi Stadium.
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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) carries the ball after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates after becoming the team's all-time leader in receptions in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates after becoming the team's all-time leader in receptions after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Allen has 956 catches, one more than Gates, in his 13th NFL season. He returned to the Chargers this season after spending 2024 with the Chicago Bears.
“It's a phenomenal record,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Quarterback Justin Herbert added, “Very impressive. He's one of the best to ever do it."
Allen drew up the play that earned him the record.
Herbert threw him a shovel pass just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter in front of the 33-year-old wide receiver's family and friends.
“My brain just reverted back to when I was a rookie and just seeing him for the first time and I was like, ‘Man, I already knew he was special,’” Derwin James Jr. said. “Eight years later and he's the number one player in Charger history. A lot of respect, man.”
The team erupted on the sideline and squirted Allen with water.
“That was the best part,” he said. “Being with the guys, seeing their emotions, making it a special moment.”
It looked as though Allen wouldn't get the record with time running out. Harbaugh told Allen they were trying to get him the ball, and Allen suggested an easy catch play.
“He actually called me a genius. Like 'dang, why didn't I think of that?'” said Allen, who responded, “You mean to tell me you didn't think of that?”
Allen plans to add the ball to his collection of keepsakes.
He's one of the best high-volume receivers in NFL history, setting career marks for most games with at least 16 catches (two), 15 catches (three) and 14 catches (six). He owns the most games with 100 receiving yards (11) in league history.
“I'm always putting in the work,” he said. “We're not too loud, we don't post everything, but the work is definitely put in, so when we are in those situations, nothing's new.”
The Chargers selected Allen with 76th pick in the 2013 NFL draft. He built his reputation playing his first 11 seasons with the Chargers. After the 2023 season, the team asked him to take a pay cut, and when Allen refused, they traded him to the Bears. He re-signed with the Chargers in August.
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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) carries the ball after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates after becoming the team's all-time leader in receptions in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates after becoming the team's all-time leader in receptions after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Andrew Painter hopped off the mound in excitement in the fifth inning after his 97.2 mph fastball got James Wood to strike out for a second time.
Phillies fans — some groups called themselves Andrew's Painters, others Painter's Painters — waved paintbrushes and erupted in cheers with each strikeout for the rookie pitcher.
Painter delivered a masterpiece in his major league debut.
The 22-year-old Painter — considered to have one of the top arms in any level of baseball — tossed four-hit ball and struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings Tuesday in the Phillies' 3-2 win against the Washington Nationals. Painter tipped his cap to the cheering crowd of 40,709 fans as he left the mound in the sixth after he allowed a one-out single to C.J. Abrams.
“It was awesome,” Painter said. “Crowd showed up tonight. Just kind of soaked all of it. I don't think I could have drawn it up much better.”
He struck out the side in the fifth, walked one and allowed a run when Abrams scored on a run-scoring single by Daylen Lile off reliever Tanner Banks.
Painter wanted to stay in the game and at least finish the inning. Phillies manager Rob Thomson wasn't going to push the right-hander almost 1,000 days since his big league path was elongated by Tommy John surgery.
Thomson asked Painter on the mound visit if he enjoyed his first game.
“He shook his head no,” Thomson said with a laugh. “Then he figured out what I said and shook his head yes.”
Painter received a rousing ovation as he made the long walk from the bullpen to the dugout before the game and kept the fans on their feet when he struck out Wood on a nasty 12-6 curveball to open the game. Painter kept the Nationals flailing at breaking balls and swinging over high hard stuff the rest of the game.
Painter mixed curves, sweepers and sliders with a fastball that nearly touched 100 mph and flashed every bit of greatness that has been predicted of him since he was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus.
Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading.
He hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had Tommy John surgery later that year.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander emerged the top candidate to win the Phillies’ fifth starter job as he attempted to crack the rotation before his 20th birthday. Instead, the injury set him back at least two seasons, and he went 5-8 with a 5.26 ERA during two minor league stops last season.
He’s been deemed good to go and joins a stout rotation that this season will include Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo.
“We've been waiting a while for this,” Thomson said. “So have our players.”
The two-time reigning NL East champion Phillies gave him needed run support with solo home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Adolis Garcia. Painter left with the Phillies leading 3-0.
“He didn't seem fazed by anything out there," Schwarber said. “That was pretty cool. I mean, even before the game, there's no pacing, no nothing. Just felt like he was mentally prepared for what he was about to do. That's impressive.”
The first outing sure seemed a like preview for even more impressive starts over his career.
“I felt like I was in control of the pace of the game,” Painter said.
Considered the organization's top pitching prospect since Cole Hamels, Painter entered the season ranked No. 26 among all prospects in baseball. Painter gave up seven hits and struck out eight in 11 2/3 innings in spring training this year.
“If we can keep him healthy, this guy's going to be really good for a long time,” Thomson said. “He's going to have a really great career. He's one of those upper-echelon guys. He's got the combination of power and command. The future is bright for him.”
Painter said every part of his game felt in sync, from pregame warmups to keeping his emotions in check while pitching in front of about 40 friends and family in his ticket group. He changed from his No. 24 jersey into a Phillies hoodie and shorts and jogged back onto the field after the final out for photos and hugs with his parents, former coaches and everyone who made the trip.
That included a kiss with his fiancée.
Painter took a knee before he ever threw a regular-season pitch. He posted proposal photos on Instagram in March with his girlfriend, Shelby.
What's more nerve-wracking, proposing or taking the mound?
“I'm not sure,” Painter said with a laugh. “We'll revisit that.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson, second from left, releases pitcher Andrew Painter, center, during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter greets teammates during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Painter pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies fans that call themselves "Painter's Painters" pose for a photo as they cheer on rookie Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter during his MLB debut in a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston)
Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Painter pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew Painter pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
