Chiefs

Twenty photos show former tight end Tony Gonzalez being a Kansas City Chiefs legend

By The Kansas City Star
The 63rd touchdown catch of Tony Gonzalez’s career broke an NFL record for tight ends and put the Chiefs ahead to stay in a 27-20 win over Cincinnati on Oct. 14, 2007 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The 63rd touchdown catch of Tony Gonzalez’s career broke an NFL record for tight ends and put the Chiefs ahead to stay in a 27-20 win over Cincinnati on Oct. 14, 2007 at Arrowhead Stadium. John Sleezer The Kansas City Star

Before there was Travis Kelce, there was Tony Gonzalez.

Any longtime Kansas City Chiefs fan is well aware of Gonzalez. He was one of the most consistent performers for the Chiefs in an era fraught with inconsistencies.

Chiefs tight end Gonzalez put up record team receiving numbers from his 1997 rookie season until his final season with the Chiefs in 2008 that were so outstanding they seemed like they would never be surpassed.

Here are some of Gonzalez’s numbers from his 12 seasons with the Chiefs.

  • Career yards receiving 10,940
  • Career receptions 916
  • Career touchdown receptions 76
  • Career starts 174

The Chiefs traded Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. He played five seasons for the Falcons where he cemented his place as one of the greatest tight ends ever in the NFL until his retirement in 2013.

Current Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce has chipped away at Gonzalez’s receiving records. Kelce’s touchdown reception on Christmas Day during the Chiefs’ game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, his 77th, put him ahead of Gonzalez on all career receiving records for a Chiefs tight end. Kelce is in his 12th season with the team.

Kelce, who has publicly stated his great respect for Gonzalez, paid tribute to his predecessor by celebrating his record touchdown by dunking the football over the goal post, a move that Gonzalez perfected with his many scoring opportunities with the Chiefs.

Here are 20 photos that capture Tony Gonzalez playing like a legend during his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) was happy after catching the ball for his first NFL touchdown as his teammates Elvis Grbac (11) who threw the ball, tight end Ted Popson, right, and Andre Rison, behind, joined in the celebration during the Chiefs’ game with the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 5, 1997, in Miami.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) was happy after catching the ball for his first NFL touchdown as his teammates Elvis Grbac (11) who threw the ball, tight end Ted Popson, right, and Andre Rison, behind, joined in the celebration during the Chiefs’ game with the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 5, 1997, in Miami. Joe Ledford The Kansas City Star
After he blocked a punt in the second quarter, Chiefs rookie tight end Tony Gonzalez was tackled by San Francisco 49ers punter Tommy Thompson on Nov. 30, 1997, at Arrowhead Stadium.
After he blocked a punt in the second quarter, Chiefs rookie tight end Tony Gonzalez was tackled by San Francisco 49ers punter Tommy Thompson on Nov. 30, 1997, at Arrowhead Stadium. Joe Ledford The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrated with teammate Eddie Kennison after Gonzalez scored a second-quarter touchdown in the game against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 1, 2002, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 49-0.
The Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrated with teammate Eddie Kennison after Gonzalez scored a second-quarter touchdown in the game against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 1, 2002, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 49-0. Whitney Curtis The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales (88) catches a third quarter touchdown pass in front of Miami Dolphins Brock Marion (29) on Sept. 29, 2002 game at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez had three touchdowns on the day against the Dolphins.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales (88) catches a third quarter touchdown pass in front of Miami Dolphins Brock Marion (29) on Sept. 29, 2002 game at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez had three touchdowns on the day against the Dolphins. Jill Toyoshiba The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez dunks the football over the goalpost after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter on Sept. 29, 2002, against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez scored three touchdowns on the day against the Dolphins.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez dunks the football over the goalpost after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter on Sept. 29, 2002, against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez scored three touchdowns on the day against the Dolphins. John Sleezer The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chief’s tight end Tony Gonzales (88) sheds potential tackler Oakland Raider safety Ray Buchanan during the first quarter of the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders game on Dec. 25, 2004, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chief’s tight end Tony Gonzales (88) sheds potential tackler Oakland Raider safety Ray Buchanan during the first quarter of the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders game on Dec. 25, 2004, at Arrowhead Stadium. Shane Keyser The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez hauled in a touchdown catch over the defense of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tracy White, left, on Aug. 27, 2005, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez hauled in a touchdown catch over the defense of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tracy White, left, on Aug. 27, 2005, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez stiff arms Jacksonville’s Donovin Darius, left on August 19, 2000, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez stiff arms Jacksonville’s Donovin Darius, left on August 19, 2000, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium. Jeff Roberson The Kansas City Star
Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez pulls down a pass for a touchdown as the Jaguars’ Fernando Bryant (25) and Donovin Darius (20) defend during the fourth quarter of the Jaguars-Chiefs game on Sept. 15, 2002 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez pulls down a pass for a touchdown as the Jaguars’ Fernando Bryant (25) and Donovin Darius (20) defend during the fourth quarter of the Jaguars-Chiefs game on Sept. 15, 2002 at Arrowhead Stadium. Jeff Roberson The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) heads for a touchdown in front of Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion (31) in the third quarter on Sept. 29, 2002, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) heads for a touchdown in front of Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion (31) in the third quarter on Sept. 29, 2002, at Arrowhead Stadium. John Sleezer The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez signaled his touchdown on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 30, 2007, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The touchdown tied the score at 16, where the Chiefs went on to a 30-16 win.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez signaled his touchdown on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 30, 2007, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The touchdown tied the score at 16, where the Chiefs went on to a 30-16 win. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass over Denver Broncos linebacker Boss Bailey in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ 33-19 win on September 28, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass over Denver Broncos linebacker Boss Bailey in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ 33-19 win on September 28, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
After a week of trade talks, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was still a Chief before the introductions in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium
After a week of trade talks, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was still a Chief before the introductions in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez jumped in front of San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle in the first quarter for a Chiefs touchdown on Dec.14, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez jumped in front of San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle in the first quarter for a Chiefs touchdown on Dec.14, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrated after his record-setting 63rd touchdown catch of his career on a three-yard catch in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez’s 63rd (and later 64th) touchdown catch set the NFL all-time mark at the time for tight end touchdowns. The Chiefs won 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrated after his record-setting 63rd touchdown catch of his career on a three-yard catch in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, at Arrowhead Stadium. Gonzalez’s 63rd (and later 64th) touchdown catch set the NFL all-time mark at the time for tight end touchdowns. The Chiefs won 27-20. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez led all Chiefs receivers with 113 yards on ten catches against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 23, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez led all Chiefs receivers with 113 yards on ten catches against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 23, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, before the Denver Broncos game on Sept. 28, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, before the Denver Broncos game on Sept. 28, 2008, at Arrowhead Stadium. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez acknowledges fans after being inducted into team’s Ring of Honor during halftime of the game on December 13, 2018, against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium.
Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez acknowledges fans after being inducted into team’s Ring of Honor during halftime of the game on December 13, 2018, against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. John Sleezer jsleezer@kcstar.com
Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez spoke with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce before a game on Dec. 13, 2018, at Arrowhead Stadium.
Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez spoke with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce before a game on Dec. 13, 2018, at Arrowhead Stadium. John Sleezer The Kansas City Star
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