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Anthony "Tony" Gonzalez is a former professional American football player as a tight end for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League. Prior to entering the NFL, Gonzalez attended the University of California, Berkley where he received honors as an All-American as a tight end. By the end of his career, Tony Gonzalez accrued 111 touchdown receptions and over 15,000 yards receiving, both league highs for a tight end. Gonzalez was retired after the 2013 season and is now a studio analyst for The NFL Today Show' 'on CBS.''

Early life

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Tony Gonzalez was born in the year 1976 to his mother Judy, who raised Gonzalez as a single mother with two kids, while working multiple jobs. Gonzalez is ethnically diverse as he is of Cape Verdean, Jamaican, Scottish, African American, Caucasian, and Native American descent. Tony Gonzalez attended Huntington Beach high school where he played football, basketball, and baseball. During Gonzalez's senior season of football he caught over 60 passes for 13 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards. He was named an All-American as a tight end and a linebacker. Gonzalez was also a success on the basketball court where he averaged 26 points a game his senior year. He also shared the Orange County High School Athlete of the Year with professional golfer Tiger Woods. Following his success in athletes throughout his high school years, Gonzalez decided to attend the University of California, Berkley.

College Years

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Gonzalez proceeded to attend the University of California, Berkley for his college experience where he majored in communications along with playing football and basketball. During his time as a Golden Bear football player, Gonzalez played tight end and earned honors as an All-Pac 10 (athletic conference University of California, Berkley formerly was associated with) and All-American performer.

In addition to participating on the football team in college, Gonzalez also decided to further his career as a basketball player where he played in a total of 28 games, averaging over 6 points and 5 rebounds per game. Along with these stats, Gonzalez helped the Golden Bears reach the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Basketball Tournament in his junior season. As Gonzalez progressed through his college career, he [1] eventually had to decide whether he would choose the football route or the basketball route. In the end, Gonzalez decided that the best option for his life would be to choose football for his life.

Professional Career

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Draft:1997

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Tony Gonzalez was considered to be one of the best tight ends in the 1997 NFL Draft and many believed he would be within the first 15 picks of the first round in the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs decided to make a deal with the Houston Oilers and take Gonzalez as the 13th pick in the first round.

Kansas City Chiefs

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Gonzalez started his career with the Chiefs in the year 1997. In Gonzalez's rookie season, he caught 33 passes and 2 touchdowns, along with a blocked punt in his place on special teams. As a team, the Kansas City Chiefs accumulated large success as they played into the best record in the American Football Conference. The next year Gonzalez had large improvements statistically, catching nearly 60 passes for over 600 yards, and for the second year in a row, Gonzalez caught 2 touchdown passes.

In the year 1999, Gonzalez achieved great enough statistics to earn his first Pro Bowl (all-star game in the National Football League) with career highs in every statistical receiving category. He caught 76 passes and 11 touchdowns, while also amassing over 800 yards receiving.

Over the next 6 years, Gonzalez continued his success in the stats department by being statistically, the most product tight end in the in the NFL. Over the course of these seasons, Tony Gonzalez averaged 968 yards and 6.5 touchdowns a season, making him a Pro-Bowl selection in each of these seasons. Many consider the 2004 season the best year of Gonzalez's career, catching 102 passes for 1258 yards. This was an NFL record until Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys eclipsed this mark in the 2012 season.

In 2006, Gonzalez passed the Chief's career mark for yards and touchdowns, previously set by Otis Taylor. The next year, Gonzalez continued to produce big numbers, even though the success of the team continued its struggle in the win column. He led the team and all tight ends in receptions in yards and catches for the year. In 2008, Gonzalez became the all-time leader for receiving yards by a tight end with 10,064 passing Shannon Sharpe. Despite the ongoing difficulties for the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez was selected to his 10th Pro-Bowl in a row.

Following this season, Tony Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 20009 season.

Atlanta Falcons

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Gonzalez played for the Atlanta Falcons through the 2013 season, still achieving success in the NFL ranks until his final season in the league. In the 2010 season, Gonzalez passed the 1,000 reception mark, a milestone for all receivers and tight ends. Gonzalez played his final game in the year 2013, finishing with the most touchdowns, receptions, and yards for any tight end in NFL history. This fall, Gonzalez will appear as an analyst for 'The NFL Today Show.'

Personal Life

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Gonzalez got married to his girlfriend, October, in the year 2007. They have 3 children, 1 from a previous relationship of Gonzalez's. He also suffered facial paralysis in the year 2007. This led to a better diet for Gonzalez and the publishing of his book, The All-Pro Diet. In addition to this new vegan diet and idea of better health, Gonzalez co-founded All-Pro Science, which is a line of vitamins in supplements, promoting better health.

Awards and Records

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First Tight End with over 15,000 receiving yards, career receiving yards for a tight end (15,127), career receptions for a tight end (1,325), career touchdown receptions for a tight end (111), and most Pro-Bowl Appearances (14).


[2]


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| NAME =Gonzalez, Tony | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player | DATE OF BIRTH = February 26, 1976 | PLACE OF BIRTH =Torrance, California | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }}

[3] == References ==

  1. ^ Brinson, Will. "EyeON". CBS Sports. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  2. ^ Murphy, Austin (3 August 2009). "The Transformative Power of Tony Gonzalez". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ^ King, Peter. "Gonzo Keeps Going". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 11 April 2014.

{{:DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Tony[Stats 1] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] }} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:American football wide receivers Category:University of California, Berkley football players Category:Players of American football from California Category:Atlanta Falcons players


 

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  1. ^ "The All-Pro Diet". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Tony Gonzalez Bio". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  3. ^ Arnold, Taylor. "Life Enrichment: Exclusive Interview with Falcons player Tony Gonzalez and his wife October Gonzalez". Atlanta Best Self Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Tony Gonzalez, TE". totalfootballstats.com. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  5. ^ Corbett, Jim. "Son talked Gonzalez out of retirement". USA Today. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  6. ^ Florio, Mike. "Gonzalez forced Falcons hand by not filing retirement papers". NBC Sports. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
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