He played college football at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and attended L.W.

He was a member of the New Orleans VooDoo, Portland Steel, Tampa Bay Storm, and Atlantic City Blackjacks.

He was the team's starter his final two and a half years and helped the Ragin' Cajuns to 27 wins.

He played in 45 games during his career including 7 starts at guard and 27 at tackle.

[9] Since 2020, Bates has worked as a high school biology teacher at Collegiate Academies in his hometown of New Orleans.