Tony Gonzalez (American football)
- Kansas City Chiefs (1998-2008)
- Atlanta Falcons (2008 -present)
- 9 × All-Pro (1999-2004, 2006-2008 )
- 11 × Pro Bowl ( 1999-2008, 2010)
- The only tight end the NFL with more than 1,000 prisoners passports
Anthony David "Tony" Gonzalez ( born February 27, 1976 in Torrance ) is an American professional American football player at the position of tight ends. He plays for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League ( NFL). The 1.96 meter tall Gonzalez was elected eleven times in the Pro Bowl and is the only tight end in NFL history with more than a thousand prisoners passports.
Career
" Gonzo " as Gonzalez's nickname is, was neither sporty nor particularly self-conscious as a child. But after he had a school bully in his place, the mobbte him, he discovered his love for basketball, and was inspired by his older brother Chris for American football. At the local Huntington Beach High School, he scored 17 points per game in basketball, but more striking were his 68 tackles and 800 yards space gain, which he managed as a linebacker and tight end of the football team. At the University of California, he soon became the launching Tight End of the football team, the Golden Bears. Gonzalez captivated by its speed, safety catch and qualities as a blocker, through which he came to the fore interested NFL teams. As a member of the basketball team he played together with the future NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur - Rahim.
Gonzalez was selected in the 1997 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs as 13 players, where he came into a team that was coached by Marty Schottenheimer and distinguished himself through a tough defense at the linebacker Derrick Thomas and Dale Carter. In his rookie year he played as a reserve in all 16 games of the season and on first attempt 368 yards and two touchdowns space gain. The Chiefs won 13 games season, but left against the Denver Broncos in the first round of the play - offs. In his second year (1999) to Gonzalez played into the core team and increased to 621 yards ( also two touchdowns ), until he finally broke through with 849 yards space gain and eleven touchdowns in 2000 and was elected for the first time as a starter in the Pro Bowl. The following year he even managed 1,203 yards and caught 93 space saving throws ( engl.: " Receptions "). Gonzalez has established itself as one of the best tight ends the NFL and was always elected to the Pro Bowl, but the Chiefs also always missed the play-offs. This was due to the moderate offense and the tragic death of Thomas ( 2000).
2003 began Gonzalez passes for 916 yards and ten touchdowns and led the Chiefs in the play-offs where they were eliminated, however, again in the 1st round against the Indianapolis Colts. In 2004 he had his best statistical year in which he scored 1,258 yards extra space and 102 litters began. This he broke the record for tight ends. In 2005 and 2006 he was respectively for 900 and 903 yards well and was again elected to the Pro Bowl, the Chiefs won at this time but barely half of their games. 2007 and 2008 went for Gonzalez outstanding, because he managed 1,172 and 1,058 yards space gain at 99 and 96 receptions - but the Chiefs won it only four or two season games.
Gonzalez moved in 2008 to the Atlanta Falcons. In the team of Mike Smith, he alluded frequently. Also, due to a persistent foot injury he played statistically not as flashy (2009 and 2010: 867 and 656 Yards space gain ), but reached the play-offs again in 2010, but where the Falcons failed in the 1st round to the Green Bay Packers.
Records
Gonzalez holds several records for tight ends in the NFL:
- Most receptions for tight ends, one season: 102 (2004)
- Most Yards space gain for tight ends, career: 12,463
- The only tight end with more than 1,000 receptions in his career
- Most touchdowns for tight ends, career: 88
- Most seasons with over 1,000 yards extra space for tight ends: 4
Play
Gonzalez is regarded as a tight end, who is both an effective blocker and a receiver catch safer. Blessed be his good footwork and his safe hands with which he is able to catch himself in close Marking passports. According to both space gain, receptions, touchdowns and Pro Bowl nominations Gonzalez is the best tight end statistically NFL history. Together with Kellen Winslow, he is considered one of the best tight ends of all time.
Private life
Gonzalez lives with his partner, October, and together they have two children. From a previous relationship he has another child.
Gonzalez and his older brother Chris was raised by his single mother Judy. The multi-ethnic Gonzalez has roots from Cape Verde, the name of his Cape Verdean Ahn was " Goncals ".