TE Tony Gonzalez hoped that 2013 with the defending NFC South Champion Falcons would be his last chance to contend for the Superbowls, but the team collapsed to a 4-12 finish, unceremoniously ending his storied NFL career.
After a 17-year NFL career that included 14 Pro Bowls, 9 All-Pro selections and nearly every record for a Tight End in NFL history set or broken, Tony Gonzalez retired at the end of the 2013 season. But now, the future Hall of Fame TE, who still has some spring in his step even at age 38, says he still wants the Superbowl ring he never came close to achieving.
“The temptation would be there, but I don’t know what the gain would be,” Gonzalez said, per Bob Glauber of Newsday. “I’ve always wanted a ring. That’s been my main goal as a player over the last 15 years of my career. You’re really trying to get that ultimate goal.”
Gonzalez was drafted 13th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. In a twelve-year career, Gonzalez set countless records for receiving yards, receptions, TDs and games played by a tight end, but never won a playoff game. He was traded to the Falcons in 2009 and finally went to the NFC Championship game in 2012, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Gonzalez announced his intent to retire prior to 2013 and hoped that it would be the year the team finally made it to the Superbowl, but injuries to the offense and poor play by the defense caused the team to finish 4-12, and he retired
Gonzalez is the NFL’s all-time leader in every major receiving category for tight ends. He is No. 2 in NFL history behind only Jerry Rice in receptions. He is 5th in league history in receiving yards and 6th in receiving TDs. Gonzalez also started 254 games, most by any tight end and 7th in NFL history.
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