Career
He played college football at the University of Illinois and Louisiana Technical University as a defensive education He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Redskins in 2015. Washington Redskins
After a try-out, Bates signed with the Washington Redskins on May 18, 2015.
Despite having a considerably strong preseason performance, he was waived on September 5 for final roster cuts before the start of the regular season.
He signed to the team"s practice squad the next day. On September 12, the Redskins promoted Bates to the active roster, but was waived on September 14.
He re-signed with the team"s practice squad on September 16. He was promoted again to the active roster on November 7 after Jackson Jeffcoat was placed on the team"s injured reserve.