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Tony Gonzalez takes another step closer to Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Matt Conner

Chiefs wide receiver Tony Gonzalez on the sidelines as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 20 to 9 at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California, December 23, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Chiefs wide receiver Tony Gonzalez on the sidelines as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 20 to 9 at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California, December 23, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary) /
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Tony Gonzalez is another step closer to enshrinement in Canton, Ohio as he’s been named among 15 semi-finalists for induction this year.

Tony Gonzalez has very little need to worry whether or not the Pro Football Hall of Fame will honor him with induction in August given his status as the greatest player to ever play the tight end position. Then again, stranger things have happened and nothing is official just yet.

At the very least, Gonzalez can appreciate the moment and know he’s been nominated as one of 15 semi-finalists up for inclusion into the Hall in Canton, Ohio.

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Gonzalez was originally named among 103 eligible players, coaches and executives, and a panel of voters narrowed that list to 15. From there the list will be pared down to 10 and then again to five before the panel will vote individually on each player. There can be up to five finalists inducted next August but there are no guarantees when placed on the table for a vote.

Gonzalez has arguably the best case of any candidate up for induction this year into the Hall. In his first year on the ballot, Gonzalez is essentially the Jerry Rice of tight ends. Not only was he an incredible ironman of an athlete, a player who put together 17 full seasons in the NFL, but he was productive in every single one of them.

Gonzalez finished his career with the second most receptions in NFL history and is now sixth all-time on the NFL’s receiving yards list. He’s a 14-time Pro Bowler and 10-time All-Pro who was already inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Gonzalez awaits his fate on February 2, when the voting committee will come together and make all final decisions about the class of 2019.

The complete list of 15 semi-finalists, per NFL.com:

  • Tony Gonzalez, TE — 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons
  • Isaac Bruce, WR — 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers
  • Edgerrin James, RB — 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks
  • Ed Reed, FS — 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 New York Jets, 2013 Houston Texans
  • Steve Atwater, S — 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets
  • Champ Bailey, CB — 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos
  • Ty Law, CB –1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos
  • John Lynch, FS — 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
  • Tony Boselli, T — 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)
  • Steve Hutchinson, G –2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans
  • Alan Faneca, G — 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
  • Kevin Mawae, C/G — 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans
  • Richard Seymour, DE/DT — 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders
  • Don Coryell, Coach — 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
  • Tom Flores, Coach — 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks
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