Covitz:Gonzalez looking forward to his homecoming
 

Gonzalez looking forward to his homecoming
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
As Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez watched tape of the Chiefs-Seahawks preseason game, his eyes strayed from the field and scanned the sidelines and stands.

He looked for the changes that were made to Arrowhead Stadium. (He’s not a big fan of eliminating the permanent Ring of Honor). He searched for people on the sidelines that he remembered. And he tried recognizing fans.

Gonzalez, a future Hall of Famer, couldn’t have asked for a better script to his farewell season in the NFL. He will begin his 16th season in the place where he spent his first 12 years — Arrowhead Stadium — when the Falcons open the regular season Sunday against the Chiefs.

“I’ve got to say thank you to the NFL people for scheduling it the first game of the season,” said Gonzalez, whose 174 starts for the Chiefs during 1997-2008 rank second in club history. “The only way it could be more special … is if it was the last game of the season, and there were playoff implications.

“The most special part about it is the fans. There’s no doubt about it. That’s what I miss, the fans, the atmosphere. The fan support they gave me and my family, I count that as my family because they’re always there with me when I’m on the field.”

Gonzalez, 36, left Kansas City in a trade he requested at the end of the 2008 season because at that stage of his career he didn’t want to endure another rebuilding program with a new administration and coaching staff. This will be his first regular-season game against the Chiefs since the trade for a second-round draft choice who turned out to be cornerback Javier Arenas.

“Everybody is asking me, ‘What’s it like in there? Is the stadium loud?’ ” Gonzalez said of his Atlanta teammates, who last played at Arrowhead in 2004. “And, I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, it’s going to be crazy, it’s opening day, they’ve got a pretty good football team … wait until you hear the national anthem, and wait until you hear, after every first down, the whole crowd shouting, ‘That’s a Chiefs’ first down!’ ”

When Gonzalez left Kansas City, he already was the most prolific pass receiver in Chiefs history and the NFL’s all-time leader for receptions (916), yards (10,940), touchdown catches (76) and Pro Bowl appearances (10) by a tight end. He famously punctuated his touchdowns by dunking the ball over the crossbar.

In his three seasons with the Falcons, he’s become the second-leading receiver of all time with 1,149 receptions, trailing only Jerry Rice, and ranks ninth all-time with 95 touchdowns. He has also added two more Pro Bowls.

But the number that stands out to most to Gonzalez is 17. That’s the number of passes he dropped in 1998, his second year with the Chiefs. It proved to be the turning point of his career.

He began reading inspirational books, including those written about Vince Lombardi, Michael Jordan and by coaches such as Lou Holtz and Pat Riley. Those books taught Gonzalez about focus and dedication. Already a gym rat from his two-sport career at the University of California, where he also started for the basketball team, Gonzalez sought advice from veterans such as Will Shields, Tony Richardson and Marcus Allen and intensified his practice routine before and after practice, running precise routes by himself and catching passes well before practice and long after everyone left.

“That was the year that prompted everything,” Gonzalez said. “Embarrassment motivates you. I figured out how to work. It wasn’t a problem with work ethic. It was a problem with concentrating the right way, preparing the right way, and realizing that’s how you move forward, by making mistakes. That’s what I tell young guys around me, it’s fine to get it wrong. The true pro is the guy who will learn from his mistakes and not them happen over and over again.”

Gonzalez caught 76 passes for 849 yards and a still career-best 11 touchdowns in 1999, the first of his 10 straight Pro Bowl seasons with the Chiefs.

“Like all of us, and Tony’s no exception, he had to learn how to become a professional,” said Rich Gannon, a Chiefs quarterback during Gonzalez’ first two seasons, “and do the little things it takes to be an elite player at his position.

“When you put the ball on the ground, you struggle with your confidence a little bit. But once he turned the corner, he never looked back. There are certain players, in a critical situation, when you get in a huddle, their eyes light up. They want to be in the middle of it, if you got the ball to them, they’d make a big play. Jerry Rice is one of those players. Tony Gonzalez is one of those players.”

While Gonzalez has said 2012 will be his final NFL season, he’s left himself just a little wiggle room. He says he’s “95 percent sure” he’ll be retiring. He’s 400 receptions behind Rice for the all-time lead, but said he won’t be around long enough to touch that record.

“I feel good physically,” said Gonzalez, who has averaged 78 catches a year in his three seasons with the Falcons. “I could easily play another two years, maybe three years, at a decent level. I know for sure right now, I can play my type of ball. I just don’t want to be one of those guys who is out there still on the field and people are saying, ‘He’s lost a step, or he’s not even close to what he used to be.’

“You’re not going to have to drag me off the field. I want to go out playing my type of football … and that’s at the top. It’s no secret, I want to be one of the best when I’m out there on the field, and I couldn’t take it any other way.”

And just as Gonzalez, the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 1997, learned from his elders, he’s passed on tips of the trade to his younger Atlanta teammates that have helped the Falcons go to the playoffs twice in his three seasons, including 13-3 in 2010. Unfortunately, he’s still looking for that elusive first postseason win of his career, having gone 0-3 with the Chiefs.

“That gets tough,” Gonzalez said of his lack of postseason success. “Kansas City deserves better. We were never able to get over that hump. … It’s the only sad part about it that I can think of in my time in Kansas City. I hope this year can be different. We’ve got a really good football team in Atlanta.

“Winning cures everything. (Quarterback) Matt Ryan is one of the best, and (wide receiver) Roddy White … I got lucky. They traded me to a pretty good team. To be honest, it wasn’t the team (I wanted)… it was one of the teams, but it wasn’t my top choice. I’m glad it worked out the way it did.”

Gonzalez, whose off-field interests may be among the most diverse in the NFL, hasn’t given a lot of thought to what he’ll do after he retires.

He’s owned businesses in Kansas City; he’s written books on nutrition and for youth based on his experience growing up as a bullied multicultural youngster; he’s appeared on television shows, including Oprah Winfrey’s “Big Give” and “Arliss”; and he’s active in the community with his foundation, including Shadow Buddies in Kansas City, where smiling dolls are given to ailing children and the elderly.

“I’m thinking about television,” Gonzalez said of a role as a game or studio analyst. “It would be a great way to stay around the game.”

During Gonzalez’ rookie year, tight ends coach Jim Erkenbeck would hand out tests to his players, and besides quizzing them on their assignments, the coach would throw in a trivia or current-events question.

One of the questions in 1997 was “Who’s Pete Rozelle?” A 21-year-old Tony Gonzalez was stuck for an answer (Paul Tagliabue was the NFL commissioner then), and he answered: “The governor of Missouri.”

Gonzalez can laugh about that now.

“To look back, I can’t believe how naive and unprepared I was,” Gonzalez said. “Football is a great life teacher. Fortunately, I was able to learn from it, and it’s taken me to where we’re at today. I grew up in Kansas City. I became a man in Kansas City. … Unbelievable memories … the teams I was able to play on, the players I was around … being able to play for Lamar Hunt, one of the innovators of the game. It was a cool history to have as a player.”

Gonzalez’ family will be on hand for Sunday’s game. His mom from California, his wife, oldest son Nikko, folks from the Shadow Buddies and former teammates, including Richardson, Jason Dunn, Shawn Barber and Kevin Lockett will be there as Gonzalez likely will extend his streak to 164 consecutive games with a reception, the longest active streak in the league and fourth all-time.

“I still love the game, I’m really enjoying it and am able to be effective, so I’m going to enjoy this year,” Gonzalez said. “It kind of makes it more special, too, knowing this is the last time I’ll be at Arrowhead. The last time. That’s a luxury.

“How many guys can say that? How many guys can say this is my last year, and I’m going out on my terms? I feel very lucky.”

Bad to say I wouldn't mind seeing EB knock his dic in the dirt?

Eric....sweep the leg.
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15 catches, all against Javier Arenas, completing the circle.

Again with the negativity, we've talked about this.

Gonzo was a great Chiefs but in the end he's not very bright. He wanted to have a chance to win it all late in his career so he allowd himself to be traded to Atlanta?

If he doesn't resign with KC to retire a Chief, I'll be shocked. As well, if I was Tony, seeing as how O'Connell and Maneri made the roster, I would be thinking that I could eek out another three years on this roster ahead of those guys.

Hopefully they call him for at least 4 OPI calls, that was his signature playoff move here. Seriously though Tony was great here.

I hope they stuff Tony G all day long.

:shake:

Uhh, I thought it was because Haley was a dick.

The Chiefs were going into total rebuild mode so Tony wanted to go....bye.

Yeah, it's ALWAYS smart to kick a Hall of Famer out the door, especially one that continues to contribute.

:facepalm:

Arenas is ****ing worthless. Pioli should have had some ****ing balls and refused trade him.

Gonzalez/Boss/Moeaki could have been amazing.

I didn't mind trading him for a 2nd, especially where we were at the time. If you want to take issue with what we got with the pick that's one thing. I don't think the move itself was a bad decision.

It would be, but had we kept Gonzales I seriously doubt we sign Boss.

Exactly... Just to think, we could have kept Gonzalez and drafted Jimmy Graham instead of Moeaki.

I just wish he would've been more loyal, patient and willing to be part of the solution not the problem. It says a lot about the type of person he is off the field which is a major "me" douche. I love what he did for us but you can't expect every fan favorite to be a Kurt Warner type of person in this business. I get that Tony is a dick, it just sucks because you don't wanna believe it.

I wonder if we even draft a TE in that spot if Pioli thinks we could have gotten a sleeper and had Gonzo train him. Just can't play what if and assume that the things that happened after an event would play out the same if you change the original event. Like in baseball when a runner gets thrown out and then a player hits a HR. Can't say it woulda been a 2 run homer cause the pitcher probably pitches different, atleast thinks differently.

That was my first thought too. But thinking about those three never hurt anyone. :D

he is one and who really cares about him....he has come and gone

Serious question: why do so many seem to hate him and call him a dick? I know nothing about the man, but he seems to say all the right things and seems to genuinely have enjoyed playing in KC and still supports the city and the fans.

I get that he shot his way out of town but I see his point of view. He was 32, entering his prime, and by the end of the '08 season things looked bleak. From '04 to '08 KC went 7-9, 10-6, 9-7, 4-12, and 2-14. Two seasons of winning 6 total games when you're the best TE in football has to grind you down. Then a sweeping new regime comes in, and it looks like the team will be in rebuilding mode... why NOT see if you can get traded?

Honestly, I think it all stems from a few incidents at training camp and elsewhere where the guy acted like a primadonna to people in a public, fan-oriented setting. He obviously doesn't like to sign autographs, for one.

Outside of that, I'm not sure anybody really begrudges him for wanting to leave and play for a winner. I know I don't.

I bumped into Tony at Whole Foods and My son asked for his autograph. Tony told him to get lost, which is fine as I told my 7 year old(at the time) he shouldn't have bugged him.

There have been reports of Tony acting the same way in places/scenarios that were DESIGNED for fans to get autographs.

Yeah I experienced that first hand at the Hall Of Fame induction.I'm not an autograph hound by any means I just believe that if a player is at a fan-oriented setting they should have no problem with it.If they're at dinner,a club or whatever I say leave them the hell alone and let them enjoy their time off.

HAHA

You know this is going to happen, too.

Mainly the Gonzalez stuff is from private settings, where he has been less than stellar to fans.

No, he's done it in public settings too. At functions that were explicitly for the purpose of meeting with the fans and signing autographs.

He asked to be traded every other season, probably a total of five times, usually when his stats weren't as good as he wanted. Even the year after signing a contract extension, he was bitching about wanting to go elsewhere. He first asked for a trade when we fired Gunther. He didn't want to play for DV cos he didn't think he'd get thrown the ball enough. It took Al Saunders explaining Kellen Winslow and the Coryell offense to him to unbunch his panties. Then he liked DV but pitched a hissy fit whenever he wasn't the focus on offense, usually with a 'they should just trade me if they're not gonna throw it to me more...' thrown in there.

Tony was a great player. He'll go into the hall of fame and nobody can ever take that away from him. I still remember him as much for his perpetual complaining as I do for his excellent play.

In general I don't think his west coast douche mentality meshed well with KC fans. Not like 'blue collar guy' does.

Ah welcome home Mr Playoffs?

Nah, why do we care about him?

I would say "i hope somebody knocks his dick in the dirt" but since we play defense like a bunch of gigantic pussies, i won't.

:(

Hey Tony welcome home!!
I hope you break a leg in a huge loss literaly.
And I hope you retire as a Chief!!!
This is a given no?
Even if the Falcons have a miracle yr.

Bet he tears the Chiefs a new one. This is the classic case where a former player comes back and helps stomp his former team - no doubt in my mind this will happen. Faces change but bad Karma doesn't - this is still the CHIEFS we're talking about here, and it's our destiny to have this kind of thing happen...

For the record, I'd love to see the Chiefs win and Tony play one hell of a game...

Really?

I don't believe your story.

What kind of seven year old is going to immediately know what Gonzalez looks like, and ask for a guys autograph without your permission? Obviously it was without your permission because you told him he shouldn't have bugged him anyways.

Unless you want to elaborate further in your story, you're missing some important information.

I still can't believe that OPI they called against him in the playoffs against the Colts

**** him. He doesn't care about the city or the fans. This is all lip service bullshit.

"Tony, enjoying all those playoff victories in Atlanta?" That should be a sign held up as he enters the stadium. Looks like he picked the wrong "contender".

What? Falcons haven't won a recent playoff game. Hell, the way some people are acting they are 5 time undefeated Super Bowl Champions.

Yep - But the TD catch against Denver in the '96 playoffs (where Denver's CB forced him out as he was coming down with the ball) was worse. It took 4 points off the board and was the difference in the game. They ruled he landed out of bounds and it was total BS becaue he was forced to do so by the defender. At the time, the rules indicated that if the receiver went up for the ball, he was allowed the space to come down with it. If not - it would still be a catch. THAT was the worse call ever made at Arrowhead. :cuss:

Yea, ^this. Dude snubbed fans and was a douche whenever the cameras weren’t on.

Don't forget about the phantom holding call on the FG, either. That took 3 points off the board.

The ****ing ref$ were clearly under orders not to let us win that game.

No.
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That's one of the games that immediately comes to mind with the fixing of games. Holding on a ****ing FG in the AFC Divisional Playoffs :spock: Squeelers-Seahawks is another.

I'll never forget the story about him getting caught with a hot mic bitching about having to deal with the little people when he was doing that studio show. I appreciate what he did for the team, but it's in the past, nothing ever came of it, and now he's gone, and he's gone because he wanted to be gone. If he was a decent person it would be different, but he's a Class A prick, so it's not.

I miss Tony, and wish him the best with his career. He did great things for our team while he was here. That said, I hope we destroy the Falcons, hold him to 1 catch for 7yds, and win a championship and super bowl while he is still playing for Atlanta. Just to rub it in a bit.

Well, alleged holding, since no replay ever actually showed holding.

Yet Tamba Hali can get his jersey ripped off from behind, and they don't notice that.

Yeah, nothing dirty going on with the ref$. Not ever.

Too much money riding on these games to believe that it doesn't happen.

I F-Ing rember that $hit too! (And their OL with Crisco smeared all over them) NEVER have I witnessed a game with so many bad costy calls went against a team AT HOME. Pathetic! They were all on board the "Get John a ring" tour. I really have never gotten over that game. :cuss:

I have a Ram fan friend that calls me a homer everytime I notice Ganja Hali getting molested. If I had video editing skills I'd make him a lowlight reel to prove the point.

"Yeah but there's holding on every play."

**** yourself. /rant

The target area is only two inches wide. It's a small anterior cruciate ligament, right below the articular cartilage. The ligament leads directly to the knee. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the hall of fame tight end. Only a precise hit will set off a chain reaction.

As long as its called the same both ways I don't care, but we both know that's not how it works. Let Albert get his hands on the outside of the shoulder pads and the laundry flies yet Tamba can get clothesline tackled to the ground and nothing.

A bunch of sandy vaginas around here. Tony was great for us and wanted a chance to win a playoff game with a real team before he retired. I don't blame him at all and wish him and the Falcons all the luck in the world...after this week.

The only funny thing is, he wanted out so bad cause he expected another 3-4 year rebuilding plan. But our rebuild only took 2 years. 4-12 in 2009 with Pioli, to division champs in 2010. And to this point he's won the same amount of playoff games as the Chiefs. Unless Atlanta goes deep in the playoffs, he should've just stayed in KC.

When he left, there were some who said he'd probably retire in a year or two. He's lasted long enough that you're right - he might still have a chance to win with the Chiefs this year. But I don't think anyone can have a reasonable argument that the Falcons have been worse than the Chiefs the past few years (this year included).

So, did it work out perfectly for him? Not yet at least. But you can't fault the decision-making process at the time.

Tony is the type of guy that wouldn't like most of us if he knew us so I'm not going to waste the energy necessary to get all sandy 'ginered up about it. I thank him for his time here but he wanted out and can now kindly **** off.

I think you are righ KCrock. I remember at the Pro Bowl that year he said in an interview that he wanted Herm to stay and Thigpen to remain QB. He liked Chan and felt like we were close. When Pioli came in and got rid of Herm and traded Thigpen, he just didn't want anything to do with a rebuild.

Here's a similar read...

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post...n-t-qb-in-2009

Yup, and Tony Gonzalez in the back of the end zone in the 98 game clearly would have had 2 feet in bounds without being pushed out. It wasn't even close.

NTTAWWT

I don't fault him at all really. I just think looking back at it in hindsight for him must be a strange thing. He only made himself look bad by demanding a trade, and then this team has a rebound quicker than he expected.

Boss will outplay TG this game.

I could see it. In fact, the TE's should have a huge game if things fall right. I'd be surprised to see the WR's have a productive day. The corners in Atlanta are scary. But getting Moeaki and Boss involved and matched up on the linebackers and safeties is what we want. William Moore and Sean Weatherspoon are easier targets than Grimes or Samuel.

@JoshLooney: Gonzalez: "To look up and see #88 jerseys was always a special thing to me. They are truly the best in the business as far as I'm concerned.

Just don't ask him to autograph one, he will get pissed off as hell!
Personal experience.

In a game of checkers on the sideline?

In previous years, Clay would have been all "we're gonna shit down his neck". But, since we don't have any good players left, it doesn't matter.

Chiefs’ Crennel ponders how to stop Tony Gonzalez
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Tight end Tony Gonzalez caught hundreds of passes while playing for the Chiefs. On Sunday, for the first time ever, they’ll have to figure out a way to stop him.

Gonzalez comes back to Arrowhead Stadium with the Atlanta Falcons for the season opener, and Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel talked today about that challenge.

“He’s got size, he’s got speed, he’s got hands, he’s got savvy,’’ Crennel said. “He can pose a lot of problems, particularly with the other weapons they have. If you double (cover) Tony, then you leave the other guys singled up. If you single Tony, Tony can get open. You have to pick your poison and try to keep the opposing quarterback off balance and give him a couple different things to look at.’’

The Chiefs are like many NFL teams now in that they have a pair of tight ends who are capable pass receivers in Tony Moeaki and Kevin Boss. That movement was inspired by Gonzalez and his ability to threaten a defense from an unusual position.

“He was probably the leading edge of that transition to pass-catching tight ends,’’ Crennel said. “To do that, you have to have that ability, that tremendous ability, hand-eye coordination, great hands, that savvy about reading coverages and knowing how to get open, and Tony has all of that.’’

Meanwhile, Crennel said two injured Chiefs defensive players, cornerback Brandon Flowers and linebacker Derrick Johnson, would attempt to do more in practice than they did on Monday.

“That’s encouraging that guys want to play and are going to try to play,’’ Crennel said. “So I think they’re getting ready.’’

Crennel couldn’t define “more.’’

“Whatever they can do,’’ Crennel said. “They haven’t been able to do much at all, so if they can do anything, that’s more. I’m just excited they’re out there trying to do something.’’

I concur. I've met him twice, and my buddy and his wife once.....all of us thought he was a dick