Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Gonzalez played in the NFL for 17 seasons, 12 of them with the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s being reported today that Gonzalez is officially retiring from the NFL.
“On behalf of the entire Chiefs family, I want to congratulate Tony on an incredible career,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “What he was able to accomplish during his time in the NFL is truly remarkable, and I have no doubt that Tony is a first-ballot hall of famer. We were very blessed to have him in a Chiefs uniform for 12 seasons, and his contributions on and off the field were extraordinary and will never be forgotten. I want to thank Tony for his time in Kansas City and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. He will always be considered a part of the Chiefs family.”
Gonzalez will undoubtedly be in the Hall of Fame, and it would be fitting for him to be inducted as a Chief.
He was drafted No. 13 overall in the 1997 NFL draft by the Chiefs, and went to 10 Pro Bowls with Kansas City. He started 174 games with the Chiefs and caught at least one pass in 131 consecutive contests. That’s a franchise record.
Gonzalez was a first-team All-Pro five times with the Chiefs, and he’s the only tight end in NFL history to notch four 1,000 yard seasons. All four of those seasons came with Kansas City (2000,2004, 2007 and 2008).
In total, as both a member of the Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez was selected to 13 Pro Bowls, has played in 270 regular season games; and has the NFL tight end record in receptions with 1,325, receiving yards with 15,127, receiving touchdowns with 111 and 100-yard receiving games with 31.
Note: Quotes via Chiefs PR