Tony Gonzalez (tight end)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Tony Gonzalez

---

caption=Tony Gonzalez poses with two U.S. Naval commanders prior to the kickoff of the 2005 NFL Pro Bowl.
currentteam=Kansas City Chiefs
currentnumber=88
currentpositionplain=Tight end
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|2|27
birthplace=Huntington Beach, California
country=USA
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=251
debutyear=1997
debutteam=Kansas City Chiefs
highlights=
* 9x Pro Bowl selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
* 8x All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
* Led NFL with 102 receptions in 2004
* List of records
college=California
draftyear=1997
draftround=1
draftpick=13
pastteams=
* Kansas City Chiefs (1997-present)
statweek=1
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=841
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=10,064
statlabel3=Touchdowns
statvalue3=68
nfl=GON587645

Anthony "Tony" David Gonzalezcite web|title=Gonzalez on Pro-Football-Reference |work=rbref.com |url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GonzTo00.htm |accessdate=2007-12-21] (born February 27, 1976 in Huntington Beach, California) is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round (13th overall pick) of the 1997 NFL Draft out of the University of California

While majoring in Communications at California, Gonzalez played in 33 games for the California Golden Bears football team, recording eighty–nine receptions for 1,302 yards with eight touchdowns.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-21] He also played in 82 games for the the California Golden Bears basketball team, averaging 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-21]

Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, currently holds the NFL records for most single season receptions (102) by a tight end, most career touchdowns by a tight end (68), and most career receptions by a tight end (838). As of October 5, 2008, he is also the NFL all time leader in reception yards by a tight end with 10,064.

High school career

Gonzalez attended Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach, California, where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball.

Gonzalez excelled at both football and basketball. As a senior, he caught 62 passes for 945 yards and 13 touchdowns and was a first-team All America selection at both tight end and linebacker. Playing basketball, he was named Orange County and Sunset League MVP as he averaged 26 points per game.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-21]

After his senior year, Gonzalez shared the Orange County High School Athlete of the Year along with golfer Tiger Woods. [cite web | url = http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=25050 | title = Tony Gonzalez | publisher = NFL.com | accessdate = 2007-10-22 ]

College career

Gonzalez chose to attend the University of California, where he majored in communications and played both football and basketball.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20]

As a member of the California Golden Bears football team, he played tight end under future NFL coach Steve Mariucci.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20] His junior year was one of the best seasons of all time for a Division I tight end, as he caught 46 passes for 699 yards and 5 touchdowns. Gonzalez was also an All-Pac-10 and All-American selection.

Gonzalez also continued his basketball career at Cal. His junior year he played in 28 games, averaging 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as California made it to the Sweet sixteen of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/|title=Tony Gonzalez, #88, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20]

Gonzalez decided to forfeit his final year of eligibility at University of California to declare for the NFL Draft.

NFL career

1997 NFL draft

Gonzalez was rated as one of the top tight ends in the 1997 NFL Draft, and was considered a top 15 selection. The Chiefs had decided to draft Gonzalez, but were unlikely to be able to draft him with their 18th overall pick. The Chiefs thus traded up with the Houston Oilers to get the number 13 selection and draft Gonzalez.cite web|url=http://www.cjonline.com/stories/041997/chiefs.html|title=Chiefs grab Gonzalez with first pick|last=Tucker|first=Doug|date=1997-04-19|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20]

Kansas City Chiefs

Gonzalez began his career in 1997. He finished his rookie season with 33 receptions, two touchdowns and a blocked punt on special teams, helping the Chiefs to finish with the best record in the American Football Conference (AFC). In the 1998 season, Gonzalez saw dramatic improvements with 59 receptions for 621 yards, and also caught two touchdown passes for the second consecutive year.

In 1999 season saw Gonzalez again improving when he caught 76 passes for 849 yards and a career high 11 touchdown receptions, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. From the 2000 to 2006, Gonzalez was the most productive tight end in the NFL. During this time he averaged 79 receptions, 968 yards, and 6.5 touchdowns per season and was elected to the Pro Bowl every year. His best season statistically came in 2004, when he caught an NFL record (for a tight end) 102 passes for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 2007, Gonzalez continued his productivity in spite of the generally poor play of the Chiefs' offense. Though the Chiefs finished at or near the bottom in most major offensive categories, Gonzalez led the Chiefs and all NFL tight ends in receptions (99) and receiving yards (1,172) while being named to his ninth straight Pro Bowl.

Starting late in the 2006, Gonzalez began to close in on numerous team and league receiving records. In 2006, Gonzalez broke wide receiver Otis Taylor's Chiefs team receiving yards and touchdowns mark, and also passed running back Priest Holmes for the team yards from scrimmage record. On October 14, 2007, Gonzalez broke the career touchdown reception record for tight ends previously held by Shannon Sharpe,cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-10-14-bengals-chiefs_N.htm|title=Gonzalez grabs TD record as Chiefs get back to .500|last=Weiberg|first=Steve|date=2007-10-14|publisher=USA TODAY|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-21] as well as passing Ozzie Newsome for second in career receiving yards for a tight end. On December 23, 2007, Gonzalez recorded his third season with 1,000 receiving yards, tying him with Kellen Winslow, Todd Christensen and Shannon Sharpe for most ever by a tight end, and on December 30, 2007, Gonzalez passed Shannon Sharpe for most receptions all time by a tight end.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3174064|title=Gonzalez breaks tight ends record for most catches|date=2007-12-30|publisher=Associated Press|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-21]

In week 4 of the 2008 season, Gonzalez became NFL all time leader in reception yards for a tight end with 10,064 passing Shannon Sharpe

Personal life

In early 2007, Gonzalez suffered a bout of facial paralysis known as Bell's Palsy. Gonzalez subsequently experimented with veganism after reading "The China Study", by Cornell professor and nutrition researcher T. Colin Campbellcite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article_email/article_print/SB120122116182915297-lMyQjAxMDI4MDIxNTIyMjUxWj.html|title=The 247 lb. Vegan|last=Albergotti|first=Reed|date=2008-01-25|publisher=The Wall Street Journal Online|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20] , but he and his nutritionist ultimately decided that eating some meat would be best for his performance. [ [http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/th-20080215-n.htm New Information about NFL’s Tony Gonzalez] ] On July 3, 2008, while dining with his family at Capone's Restaurant in Huntington Beach, California, Gonzalez noticed fellow diner Ken Hunter choking on a piece of meat at a nearby table, unable to breathe. Gonzalez successfully administered the Heimlich Maneuver to Hunter, saving his life. After the incident, it was revealed that Hunter was a San Diego Chargers fan, which are a rivalry team of the Chiefs in the AFC West.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3477130|title=Chiefs' Gonzalez saves man from choking to death|date=2008-07-08|publisher=Associated Press|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-20]

Gonzalez had a commitment ceremony in July 2007 to his girlfriend October (Toby), but he considers himself married. He also has one son, Niko (born in 2002), from a previous relationship, and one daughter with his wife, Malia (born in May 2008).

Gonzalez is of Cuban decent.

Acting credits

*"Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give" (TV series)-Judge
*"" (2007)
*"Married to the Kellys" (2004)
*"The Jersey" (2000)
*"Arliss" (2000)

Records

League records

*Receptions in a single season for a tight end (102, 2004 season)
*Career receiving yards for a tight end (10,075 as of October 6, 2008)
*Career receptions for a tight end (816 as of December 30, 2007)
*Career receiving touchdowns for a tight end (66 as of December 30, 2007)
*Most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end (3)

Team records

*Career receptions (820 as of December 30, 2007)
*Career receiving yards (10,075 as of October 6, 2008)
*Career receiving touchdowns (66 as of December 23, 2007)
*Career yards from scrimmage (9695 as of December 23, 2007)
*Consecutive games with a reception (114 as of December 23, 2007)

Career statistics

NFL

References

External links

* [http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/tony_gonzalez/ Kansas City Chiefs bio]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/tonygonzalez/profile?id=GON587645 Player Profile] at NFL.com
* [http://tonygonzalezfoundation.shadowbuddies.org/ The Tony Gonzalez Foundation]