Local

As their son graduates, Tony Gonzalez’s ex shares rare pic of the former Chiefs star

Tony Gonzalez on set of the Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” halftime show.
Tony Gonzalez on set of the Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” halftime show. Amazon Prime

Nikko Gonzalez, the 23-year-old son of former Kansas City Chiefs star Tony Gonzalez, spent the first few years of his life as a member of Chiefs Kingdom.

He’s a college graduate as of last week, and for the occasion, his mother and Gonzalez’s ex, Lauren Sanchez, shared a rare family photo of Nikko as a toddler with his dad, a Chiefs tight end from 1997 to 2008.

“Really emotional day for me. My firstborn graduated from college today!” Sanchez wrote. “My heart is overflowing with pride for this incredible young man. It seems like yesterday your dad and I were carrying you in our arms. I just want you to know how immensely proud I am of you for achieving this milestone.

“This is just the beginning, Nikko, and I hope you continue chasing your dreams with relentless originality. I love you so much.”

This photo of former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, with his son, Nikko, was shared by the Hall of Famer’s ex and Nikko’s mother, Lauren Sanchez, last week when Nikko graduated college.
This photo of former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, with his son, Nikko, was shared by the Hall of Famer’s ex and Nikko’s mother, Lauren Sanchez, last week when Nikko graduated college. Instagram/Lauren Sanchez

Sanchez and Gonzalez had one child together. Gonzalez, a Hall of Famer who co-hosts “Thursday Night Football” for Amazon Prime Video and has begun acting, is married to actress and TV personality October Gonzalez.

Sanchez, a former TV journalist who became a helicopter pilot and started her own aerial film and production company, got engaged to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos last year.

From left, Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Tony Gonzalez and Nikko Gonzalez.
From left, Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Tony Gonzalez and Nikko Gonzalez. Instagram/Lauren Sanchez

Nikko made his runway debut in January in Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 menswear show in Milan, Italy.

Sanchez and Bezos were there and both his parents congratulated him on social media.

That’s a long way from posing for a family picture with a Chiefs helmet.

Lisa Gutierrez
The Kansas City Star
Lisa Gutierrez has been a reporter for The Kansas City Star since 2000. She learned journalism at the University of Kansas, her alma mater. She writes about pop culture, local celebrities, trends and life in the metro through its people. Oh, and dogs. You can reach her at lgutierrez@kcstar.com or follow her on Twitter - @LisaGinKC.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER