Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
Tony Gonzalez, former Kansas City Chief and current Atlanta Falcons tight end, says the 2012 season will be his last before he retires.
TG did a chat with ESPN.com and was asked about when he might hang 'em up.
"One year. I said that last year though, and the year before. But I really do believe this is it. First of all, this is the first time my wife came to me and said, ‘You're only going to play one more year, right?"
Yeah he's said it before. We'll see if it's true.
But look at his production -- 875 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season. This is the "year of the tight end" but those numbers are still really, really good.
Good enough, in fact, that SB Nation Atlanta wrote that he would go down as one of the two or three best tight ends in team history, despite just a few seasons in Atlanta.
0 recs | 126 comments
I know he wanted to move to a contender
But man I wish this man would have ended his career as a Chief. He’s a great guy form what I’ve heard
Njohnson816 - February 2, 2012
I think he will sign a 1 day contract to retire as a Chief
Thats what he said once upon a time anyway.
nateforchiefs - February 2, 2012
I'd Bet He Will
Going to the Falcons was only a marriage of convenience…he just wanted a shot at a ring.
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
Shot?
NE, NY, PIT, N.O., perhaps….heck even Indy at that time.
Falcons, come’on.
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
he wanted NY
Pioli gave him to his friend in Atlanta ;)
worc - February 2, 2012
The year they sent him to Atl though, they looked like they could contend
Ryan was coming on strong, they had a good offense and defense. I think they had made the playoffs the year before and he was supposed to be one of the pieces to help push them over the edge into legitimacy.
Fozzyboyd - February 2, 2012
and then Ryan started falling apart
PVChiefsfan - February 2, 2012
and they threw the bank to get Julio Jones instead of trying to use picks to get more defensive players
I didn’t understand why getting beat down offensively by the Packers so badly in the playoffs = get a stud WR
worc - February 2, 2012
Come play your last season in KC TG!!
That would be awesome. Moeaki and Gonzalez
KCTigerChief - February 2, 2012
A little late for that.
He already signed a new contract with the Falcons.
Tarkus - February 2, 2012
Come home Tony!!!!
End your career as a CHIEF with Moeaki :) !!!!!!!!.
7kiddies - February 2, 2012
yes its been a great run for tony g the guy helped win alot of games for kc
too bad during the marty years we didn’t get it done in the playoffs.
niageriannit1 - February 2, 2012
Tony who?
G.L. - February 2, 2012
Exactly
He did not want to be a Chief anymore, so I do not see why we have to discuss him everytime he is in the news.
Chiefs1 - February 2, 2012
He did want to be a Chief his whole career
But when your the best of all time at your position and you haven’t even won a playoff game and you’ve been through 4 rebuilds, it’s time to move on. Plus he didn’t want to play for Todd Haley.
KcChiefsMo - February 2, 2012
How has that worked out for him?
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
He Made The Playoffs This Year
And Todd Haley got fired. So I guess it worked out pretty well.
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
Yeah, and he's got the same playoff record for wins with the Falcons the Chiefs have without him
Best move Pioli made coming here. A 2nd rounder for TG.
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
Are we really going to bash TG?
damn he was fun to watch in KC, are you bashing Tony Richardson too?
tomachop - February 2, 2012
No.
TG wanted to leave…demanded it actually after signing a contract with the Chiefs.
Richardson left because his contract wasn’t renewed.
Get the difference? -A lot of people don’t.
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
ok, ok I get it
but at the time the Chiefs were nowhere and he wanted a ring, he was on the last 2years of his career at the time and wanted a shot
tomachop - February 2, 2012
I Don't Blame Tony G. For Leaving
Sorry, but he was 100% correct…Todd Haley was a horrible coach who had zero chance of taking the Chiefs to a Super Bowl. The only reason he got one winning season was because of one of the easiest schedules in the NFL (while playing in one of the weakest conferences) combined with his boss doing him a favor by not letting him be OC. The Falcons may not have won a playoff game, but they were a better team than we were.
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
agreed.
13-3 im their conference says it all.
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
Tony Richardson didn't whine like a bitch to leave.
“Oh, I want to win a playoff game, wah wah wah” He had just as good a chance of doing so here than he did in Atl.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
I disagree with that one
Atl had a budding QB and and more pieces in place. We had Hurad, Thigy or Croyle and 6-26 in two years. He definitely did not have as good a chance of winning her than he did there.
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
unless somethimg amazing happens next year and the Falcons find a way to beat the Saints, Packers, 49ers, etc.
Then no, he didn’t have a better chance in ATL
PVChiefsfan - February 2, 2012
So he didn't have a better shot by....you know actually being in the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years?
Got to get to the playoffs before you can win a playoff game.
HIV 2 Elway - February 2, 2012
I could argue if he stayed here
we would have also been in the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
And I could argue if I was a foot taller that I'd be dominating the post in the league
ATL went 13-3 last year and have been clearly closer than KC for the last 4 years
HIV 2 Elway - February 2, 2012
yep.
Wow. That’s twice now that I have agreed with HIV… Something must be weird in my Zodiac :)
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
and pay no attention to that little transplant in your neck ...
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Must Be The Unseasonably Warm Weather
It makes people do crazy things, I hear. :)
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
Agreed
There’s no real comparison between the Chiefs and Falcons over the last three years…the Falcons were a better team and gave him a better chance at a ring. It may not have worked out for Gonzalez, but it wasn’t a bad gamble on his part.
The guy wanted to win and didn’t see it happening here. Considering that the Chiefs didn’t beat a single 10 win team with Todd Haley in charge, I can’t really blame him for wanting out.
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
The 2010 season would have been more interesting, that's for sure.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
Or
Better for him than for Haley in any case. :)
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
the face of the chiefs for alot of years tony g
niageriannit1 - February 2, 2012
Tony G can suck it until he retires a Chief
Then I will forgive him.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
I'm sure he cares
tomachop - February 2, 2012
So much so, a few months ago Joel reported his place on the plaza was up for sale.
I told everyone he’d never come back and was lambasted for saying it when he left. I still hold to that notion and think he’ll go back to So. Cal.
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
That's the problem
He probably doesn’t so fuck him.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
why do we insist on 100% loyalty from players even while insisting we trade or dump some of those players who might want to stay?
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Not me.
But that doesn’t mean I should root for him on another team either.
Tarkus - February 2, 2012
I get that, Tark ... but I see no need for the "hate" from some people
upamtn - February 2, 2012
I guess I'm just bitter.
He wanted to leave so he could “win a ring”. Well why not keep trying here? I understand if you’re pissed at the front office (like Jared Allen) but just because you want to be on a better team? Sorry about the cards you were dealt but get over it and do your best to make this team better. It’s not like he was guaranteed anything by leaving, as has been proven over the last few years.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
nor would he have been guaranteed anything by staying ...
upamtn - February 2, 2012
We always talk about how this is a business. And players are dealt away cuz of that. No hard feelings.
Well if I am a damn good player – and nobody is arguing perhaps the best ever at my position, and I have but a few years left, AND I’ve bee on a team that isn’t going to the big game any time soon, well then I too would want to be giving myself the best shot at that ring. It’s why football players play right? For the all elusive dream of winning a SB. I don’t begrudge him that. He did a lot of time here. Most players don’t start and end with the team that drafted them.
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
I hope he doesn't do the whole one day contract.,.
To retire as a Chief. That shit is lamer than a night at White Power and Light
HIV 2 Elway - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Well I disagree with you
but he better go into the HOF as a Chief or else he’ll never be forgiven.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
Do players even go in to the HOF as a member of a team?
Thought that was only in baseball.
HIV 2 Elway - February 2, 2012 via mobile
I thought they did but I guess I don't really know
if they don’t then I would definitely want him to retire a Chief. I don’t care how lame the one day contract is.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
They don't.
There is no helmet on their busts like baseball players have hats.
Tarkus - February 2, 2012
Helmeted busts would be awesome
Writing a leter.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
I don't know...that makes for tough access
…wait…I think I’m confused…
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
Well that sucks.
Chiefs447 - February 2, 2012
I dont think they do.
nateforchiefs - February 2, 2012
On an entirely different note
at least this ridiculous fucking ad is still porning up the place.
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
Very ridiculous.
In have no problem with SB nation paying the bills, I just wish they had rejected this one and made them use another. Its pretty awkward he at work
nateforchiefs - February 2, 2012
Exactly!
Not to mention at home with the kids running around. “Hey dad, what’s THAT?!?!”
Then you gotta deal with the wife jumping your ass for looking at porn with the kids around…and very tasteless porn at that…
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
Not to mention this is an all ages site.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
porn? really?
and yet with your concern about kids being around your language is acceptable but a picture isn’t? come on, man …
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Point taken
But you can’t avoid this crap, man. It’s literally EVERYWHERE. It’s not like the language is pasted all over the site. Your point is fair enough, but the language isn’t easily visible to those just passing by like say a boss or wife or kid. Know what I mean?
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
I understand your point, but it's basically a guy in a "white swimsuit" when you get down to it
it’s not porn … honestly
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Its not porn for sure.
But that doesn’t make it any more acceptable as advertising on this site I don’t think.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
then send a stern letter of rebuke to SB Nation ... all I can think of doing
actually … Vox Media, INC
http://www.voxmedia.com/
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Sent!
LOL…I feel like such an old prude. But, I sent it anyway. Crap, I’m my Old Man…
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
heh
see, I am an Old Man already … having been an educator for years and years and years, and being old and
wisemy own perspective on things, I’ve learned it’s often best to not make issues of some things in front of kids … not make value judgments, and not ingrain them with our morals and ethics and rules and values at a too early ageit’s ok to let kids fall and fail, they’re highly resilient and learn quickly from mistakes, too often we want to shield them from our own past mistakes, but experience is a great teacher
upamtn - February 2, 2012
So what you're saying is that's a picture of you and your bear?
And this is a past mistake that’s coming back to haunt you?
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
Dear Sir: please find (enclosed) bill for one (1) new monitor to replace last monitor damage due to coffee spewage
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Sorry
I read very selectively, often pulling one or two words per sentence and forming my own story.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
fascinating study of how the mind works ...
we can read incorrect text and just glide thru it with no issues if the first and last letters are correct, as long as it has all or most of the other letters, even if those are out of place in between
have to look it up sometime
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Kind of like an awareness test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAuXfGC7IwY
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
I've seen that one before and it's AWESOME!
upamtn - February 2, 2012
I've seen that one.
It’s mind bottling.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
boggling, even
but don’t let your emotions get bottled up inside ;-)
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Nope. Bottling.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
LMFAO
Good thing I too did not have coffee!
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
Failure is often the best teacher
But hey, it’s no longer en vogue to allow our children to fail or even THINK they might be failing…otherwise we may damage them for all eternity…or longer.
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
I know, huh
upamtn - February 2, 2012
And don't you DARE put up an Honor Roll anymore
might hurt the little skudders’ feelers!!
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
I don't know man
there are some sick fetishes out there that don’t require nudity.
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
I know ... have you SEEN some of those Raiders fans? I mean wow ... just wow!
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Really ups, do you enjoy seeing this ad?
tomachop - February 2, 2012
not trying to be confrontational at all
just seems to me to be in poor taste thats all, maybe I’m the prude I dunno
tomachop - February 2, 2012
I'd say a little on the conservative side, not necessarily a bad thing though
The scary part to me is that if people are that offended by a picture, it can slowly devolve into something like a few responses on jmcgoblue’s fanshot. So, one person is SUPER offended by the picture, which leads that person to post SUPER offending stuff….weird.
severn58 - February 2, 2012
this ^^^
upamtn - February 2, 2012
hmm
I just thought it had to do with poor taste
tomachop - February 2, 2012
well, that's a judgment call
upamtn - February 2, 2012
fair enough
I’m done with the issue anyway
tomachop - February 2, 2012
actually, I have a different fetish, so I can't say I "enjoy" it but I can't say that I "hate" it, either
upamtn - February 2, 2012
I had to switch to IE to see what everyone has been complaining about
The add is pretty weird. I definitely wouldn’t have this site up at work or around other people with that going on.
ace328 - February 2, 2012
IE? oh you poor, poor child ... Firefox is far more reliable
upamtn - February 2, 2012
Running on Chrome
unfortunately…it works here also. Drat.
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
Well, His Competition For "Best TE In Falcons History" Is Pretty Much Just Alge Crumpler
But then he’s still the greatest TE in NFL history. :)
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
Correction
But then he’s still the greatest TE in NFL history
“#88” *without a playoff win
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
Even without a playoff win he'll get into the HoF faster then Sharpe who has multiple Super Bowls.
Crazy.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
It's Never One Player Who's The Reason A Team Does Or Doesn't Make It
Tony G. wasn’t the reason we didn’t get in…no sense in penalizing him for Peterson not putting a good team around him. He’s the Dan Marino of the Chiefs (albeit at a less important position than QB).
UCrawford - February 2, 2012
What he did with the misfits he had at qb is amazing
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 2, 2012
Well, the misfits after Green.
Eastcoastransplant - February 2, 2012
Really UC?
Two words:
LIN ELLIOTT
and no, I’m not afraid of saying his name folks ;)
THE_TRUTH - February 2, 2012
If Paul Hackett Hadn't Underutilized Marcus Allen
Maybe Elliott is never in a position to blow all of those field goals because we score TDs. Allen was getting great yardage against a horrible Colts run D. But Hackett decided to go pass heavy and play to the Colts’ only defensive strength.
UCrawford - February 3, 2012
But Yes
Linn Elliott sucked. I hated it when the Chiefs signed him because he was a terrible kicker for Dallas, which is why Jimmy Johnson cut him. His decent regular season for the Chiefs was a fluke. But still, I blame Paul Hackett for that game as much as Elliott. More, actually, since Hackett’s play calling kept limiting us to field goal attempts.
UCrawford - February 3, 2012
Let's not get off subject...
What ever happened to the Lipton tea adds?
12t - February 16, 2012
I'm not saying anything
my responses were banned on other areas of the AP site
tomachop - February 2, 2012
Now you've piqued my interest...
SCKSChief - February 2, 2012
hunching a bear,...
tomachop - February 2, 2012
If he only has one year left in him then he really should've gone UFA and signed with a better team if he actually wants to win a playoff game in his career.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
He'll say the same thing again next year, I'd bet on it.
As far as him signing a one day contract and retiring a Chief? Don’t see that happening at all. There’s no one left here who has any loyalty to him. Except the fans. Or some of them, I should say.
Scott B. - February 2, 2012
I don't see the point in the whole one day contract thing.
If they want to bring him back for a ceremony at some point, fine. But they don’t need a one day contract to do that.
Tarkus - February 2, 2012
nah ... his real loyalty is to his wife ... 2012 will be his last, hide and watch
upamtn - February 2, 2012
I'm sure the Giants would've been happy to have him in 2012
What a moron.
GenericBrand - February 2, 2012
Wife? That wasn't a marriage, it was a non-legally binding commitment ceremony
HIV 2 Elway - February 2, 2012
using his term, yes ... wife
semantics, I suppose … like calling Tyler Palko a “quarterback” … or perhaps a judgment call :-)
upamtn - February 2, 2012
I still like him
thought he was,..still think he was one of he best in Chiefs history. Name abetter TE in chiefs lore
tomachop - February 2, 2012
No doubt
I thank him for his years of service. I really enjoyed watching him play. But, my own personal loyalty to #88 ended when he left left the team. Don’t wish him bad…or good, actually.
Scott B. - February 2, 2012
Can't believe anyone is dogging on Tony G
Not quit in my 30s yet, so I don’t know about the old time ballers. But Tony G is clearly one of the greatest Chiefs I’ve ever witnessed. Him and Derrick Thomas are on top of the KC mountain in my eyes.
Played in a bowl game and a Sweet 16 game in the same year at my alma mater. And I believe this year was his 12th Pro Bowl. Also, he has lost 2 fumbles in his entire career.
Fool is a legend in my eyes.
Another Successful Tedford QB - February 2, 2012
I agree
What he did the what little talent he had at QB is incredible. He is the greatest TE of all time and there is no number 2
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 2, 2012
They're Upset Because He Demanded A Trade And Left
And I can understand why that would upset people. But I also get why Gonzalez did it and considering the last three years, I don’t think he was wrong if he wanted to win a Super Bowl.
UCrawford - February 3, 2012
I totaly understand
I would demand to get out of town to with those QB’s he had
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 3, 2012
When did Tony get a wife?
I thought he had a “Life partner” :)
Ldub - February 2, 2012
Never did understand that. A "commitment ceremony" with his long time girlfriend.
Hell of a tight end though.
ghostofmunicipalstadium - February 2, 2012
Don't understand?!
She can’t touch his paper when he bounces
Another Successful Tedford QB - February 2, 2012
great set up if you ask me
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 2, 2012
If he's concerned about that then why even do that?
ghostofmunicipalstadium - February 3, 2012
and she is smokin hot
I mean Damn Tony
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 2, 2012
It sucks he's not going to win a ring
Matt ryan is the most overrated player I have seen in the last 5 years. All that talent and he can’t even win a playoff game
saints_chiefsfan1979 - February 2, 2012
Ryan Is Overrated
But the biggest problem with that team is that Michael Turner is even more overrated and after they broke him 3 years ago he isn’t getting it done in the tough games. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they broke him in year one of a big contract.
UCrawford - February 3, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Arrowhead Pride to post a comment.