The lights on the Raymond James Stadium scoreboard had barely cooled before speculation swirled around tight end Tony Gonzalez
Would a Falcons win over the Bucs in Week 17 be his last game?
In a post-game interview Gonzalez, the league’s all-time leader in almost every category among tight ends, used the phrase “if I’m back here” when talking about getting his 1,000th career catch in 2010. He has 999 career receptions, already the most of any tight end in league history.
Head Coach Mike Smith and General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said Gonzalez, who is under contract with the Falcons after a 2009 trade with the Chiefs, will be back.
Wednesday in a Falconcast interview Gonzalez confirmed it himself.
“I’ll be around for sure next season,” said the 13-year veteran, who finished the year with 83 catches for 867 yards and six touchdowns.
“You don’t ever want to make a decision right after the season is over. Now that I’ve had a chance to get away from the game a little bit and talk to my family, I’m definitely going to be around for next year. I’m excited about the direction this team is going in. We’ve got a really good football team and I really do believe this could be the best football team I’ve ever played on coming up next year.”
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Gonzalez, speaking via phone from his office in California, also talked about his new business venture in the world of nutrition. He’s the man behind All Pro Science, a line of supplements that support many of the topics in his book, The All-Pro Diet.
As for the historic 1,000th catch?
“I’m starting the season off with a bang,” he said. “It’s something that obviously means a lot to me. Hopefully we’ll win the game. That would be the best celebration for me, go ahead and get that catch the first game of the season and get a win in the first game of the season.”
With the catch he’ll become one of seven players in NFL history with 1,000 grabs. Also in 2009 Gonzalez tied for sixth in the league in third-down receptions (26). He has at least one catch in 147 straight games and holds the Falcons single-season record for receptions by a tight end.
11 Comments
Tony brought not only his talent to our team but Mr. Gonzalez has CLASS. This was the best addition to our team. You are the man TG… oh yeah call Dunn he has Class too. See if he wants to come back.
amen to that, my amigo. there needs to be more class in the league, like a class on how dogfighting is bad, or how not to shoot yourself in a night club.
WARRICK DUNN is a part owner and therefore INELIGABLE to play.
yes so stop sayin call warrick dunn cuz he not coming back!!!!!!!!!!
WOOT WOOT GONZALEZ!! FALCONS ALL THE WAY!!
Tony was a great addition 4 us last year. Tony will help us get 2 the superbowl next year! We finally might have found r 2 corners 4 next year. Brent’s da man and Chris Owens is up and comming. All i can say is Houston Thnx 4 nothing! The man could’nt cover pop warner receivers! IM OUT
brent is judge by his size and inconsistance but he made plays and if the greats were mesured by there mistakes they would be soo good you just gotta let the players take a chance
nah nah man its not even like that!! i got much love for chris houston.. eff wut the guy said above. I will always have much love for all the players as long as your a falcon and playing your heart out, no matter the result of the performance. WE READY FOR 2O1O!!!!
Hopefully Mr. Blank won’t waste TG’s last year by not signing some top of the line FAs like a shutdown corner or two, and a DE who can pressure, and even another OL who can start if necessary.
Remember what NFL really stands for….Not For Long, as Jerry Glanville used to say.
we do not need corners we have Brent and Owens but we do need a pass rusher but i think Abe will the sacks next year
For way too many years i have been saying,”Next year”, This year I really think its gonna happen. Go birds, we all love you.
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