Tony Gonzalez

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gonzalez's journey to Atlanta began when new Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli agreed to trade him for a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft. In his debut with the Falcons against Miami, he caught a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan and became the 21st player in league history to surpass 11,000 receiving yards. Although his statistics dipped slightly that season—83 receptions for 867 yards and six touchdowns—he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for 2000–2009. The following year, he made his 1,000th career reception against Pittsburgh, becoming the seventh player ever to achieve this feat. His peak performance in Atlanta came during a 2010 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints, where he hauled in eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

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

To understand Gonzalez's impact in Atlanta, look at his immediate statistical milestones. He entered the league in 1997 and spent his first 12 seasons with Kansas City before moving to Georgia. In his first regular-season game for the Falcons, he set a new standard by becoming the first tight end to reach 11,000 receiving yards. His 2010 season was particularly notable: he helped lead Atlanta to a 13–3 record and the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. He made his 1,000th career catch that same year against Pittsburgh, cementing his status as an all-time great. Gonzalez retired after the 2013 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 on his first ballot.

Did You Know?

• Gonzalez became the first tight end in NFL history to reach 11,000 receiving yards during his debut game with Atlanta against the Miami Dolphins.
• He made his 1,000th career reception in a 2010 opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming only the seventh player ever to do so and the first tight end.
• During the 2010 season, Gonzalez led the Falcons to a 13–3 record and the NFC's number one playoff seed.
• In his first regular season game with Atlanta, he scored on a 20-yard touchdown reception from Matt Ryan, marking only the third time in his career he scored in a season opener.
• Despite a brief consideration of retirement during the 2011 lockout, Gonzalez returned to play three more seasons, finishing his career with 14 Pro Bowl selections.