Tony Gonzalez
First tight end to reach 11,000 receiving yards; Hall of Fame inductee in 2019.
Anthony David Gonzalez (born February 27, 1976) is an American former professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He spent his first 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who selected him in the first round of the 1997 NFL draft. During his last five seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Since retiring in 2013, Gonzalez has served as a football analyst for NFL on Prime Video and was previously at CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
- Position
- Tight End
- Teams
- Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons
- Falcons Era
- 2009–2013
- Pro Bowls
- 14 Selections
- Hall of Fame
- Class of 2019
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 NFL draft on April 23, 2009. In his first regular season game with Atlanta against the Miami Dolphins, Gonzalez caught a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan and became the 21st player, and the first tight end, in NFL history with 11,000 receiving yards. He finished the game leading the Falcons in receiving with five receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. Although Gonzalez recorded 83 receptions for 867 yards and 6 touchdowns, his total statistics went down from the previous years in Kansas City, and Gonzalez was not invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 10 years. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the years 2000–2009.
In Their Own Story
During the 2011 NFL lockout, Gonzalez seriously considered retirement rather than waiting out an entire season. However, once the league lifted the lockout, he declared he had at least three seasons remaining. This decision fueled a resurgence in his play; after missing the Pro Bowl in 2009, he returned to the selection in 2010 thanks to his leadership on a 13–3 Falcons squad that earned the top playoff seed. In their first playoff game in five years, the Falcons faced the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Although Atlanta fell short, Gonzalez's presence had stabilized the offense. He continued playing through the 2013 season before retiring, having appeared in 270 of 272 regular-season games throughout his career and losing only two fumbles on 1,327 touches.
Reader's Guide
Gonzalez is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time. He is the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, and ranks second in receiving touchdowns. He earned 14 Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro selections, both records for a tight end. He appeared in 270 of 272 regular season games and lost only two fumbles on 1,327 touches. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019, his first year of eligibility.
Did You Know?
- Gonzalez became the 21st player, and the first tight end, in NFL history with 11,000 receiving yards during his Falcons debut against the Miami Dolphins.
- He was traded to the Falcons for a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft on April 23, 2009.
- Gonzalez was not invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 10 years after his first season with Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tony Gonzalez?
Tony Gonzalez is a retired NFL tight end widely regarded as the greatest at his position, known for his 17-year career split between the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
When did Tony Gonzalez join the Atlanta Falcons?
He arrived in Atlanta on April 23, 2009, via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs after spending twelve seasons with them.
What major record did he set during his time in Atlanta?
In his first game against the Miami Dolphins, Gonzalez became the first tight end in NFL history to surpass 11,000 receiving yards.
How did Tony Gonzalez impact the Falcons' success?
During the 2010 season, he helped lead the team to a dominant 13–3 record and the number one playoff seed while earning his return to the Pro Bowl.
What is Tony Gonzalez's legacy with the franchise?
His tenure in Georgia capped off a historic career that included 14 Pro Bowl selections and culminated in his induction into the Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Related in Atlanta Falcons
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Atlanta Falcons universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record