Chiefs Sam Mellinger: Former Chief Gonzalez is still tight with KC

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-22-2009, 03:01 AM

Former Chief Gonzalez is still tight with KC
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The party should’ve started by now. Should’ve started a half-hour or so ago, actually, but it won’t be much of an event until Kansas City’s favorite football player shows up. So a ballroom full of men in their pressed suits and women in their best dresses wait.

There are big names here already, all in the name of charity. Each of them know the deal. David Cook is the local boy turned “American Idol” winner, a bona fide rock star.

“I’m here to see Tony,” he says.

Matt Cassel is the Chiefs’ starting quarterback with a beautiful wife and a $63 million contract, things that usually earn a man a certain status.

“It’ll be great,” he says of the opportunity to meet Tony Gonzalez.

This will be Gonzalez’s first time back in Kansas City since being traded this last offseason. Officially, he’ll be here to support the Shadow Buddies Foundation. Realistically, he’s also coming for the love.

Gonzalez is playing the first of his 13 NFL seasons away from Kansas City, but this is still very much his town. With the Royals finishing a disappointing summer and the Chiefs on their way to a horrific autumn, he still just might be the most popular athlete in Kansas City.

Maybe that eases the annoyance of the 3 1/2 -hour delay at the airport in Atlanta, his new NFL home, where he’s caught 12 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns for the 2-0 Falcons.

It’s not lost on anyone that all those numbers would lead the 0-2 Chiefs, which sure doesn’t hurt the way people react when they finally see him roll up that escalator, back in downtown Kansas City for the fund-raiser on Monday night.

“Tony!” they yell.

“Hey, Randy,” he says to a familiar face.

He holds his daughter and shakes some hands and when the reporters approach, he smiles.

“You’re not going to ask me about the Chiefs, are you?” he says, and everyone laughs.

This is the first time he’s been back since being traded to the Falcons. The losing wore on him, something he never tried much to hide. It’s different in Atlanta now, and he doesn’t mind saying so.

“That whole winning environment is really great,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

He doesn’t want those words to be misunderstood. He loves Kansas City. Says he always will. This is where he started his professional career at 21, a fresh college kid with a stubborn dream of playing in the NBA.

He turned into the most prolific pass-catching tight end in NFL history here, making 10 Pro Bowls and setting NFL records for receptions, yards and touchdowns. When he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, people will remember his years with the Chiefs.

Gonzalez became famous here on a higher level than any local athlete since perhaps Bo Jackson. He went on Oprah, wrote books, and did reality TV shows. He saved a man’s life with the Heimlich Maneuver during one offseason, and it made for a great story when it turned out the guy was actually a Chargers fan.

That’s why this charity event buzzes. Mixed in with the sparkly dresses and high heels is at least one woman in a No. 88 Gonzalez jersey. Even with him playing on another team, there are still probably more Gonzalez jerseys than any other around town on Red Fridays.

The love is mutual. When Gonzalez walked off his flight and into KCI, he paused for a moment and smiled at the familiarity. He came with his wife and young daughter, the three of them feeling the love and giving it back.

“I grew up here,” he says. “I’ve been saying that all along, especially when they traded me. My heart’s in Kansas City. I love coming out here. It’s just great. The community out here was so good to me for all those years.”

There is one question about the Chiefs, and Gonzalez admits that, yes, he does keep an eye on his old team. He smiles again and says he has to get inside to the dinner. They’re waiting on him. So he steps away, into more camera flashes and more hugs from old friends.

He apologizes for being late. Nobody holds it against him. They’d have waited longer here to see him, just as he’d have waited longer in Atlanta to be here.

It takes a few minutes for Gonzalez to get through the hugs and down to his front table. Seconds after he sits, the event’s hostess walks out. Gonzalez is here, finally and again.

Now, the party can start.

**Rausch** · 09-22-2009, 03:28 AM

**** YOU.

You begged out until you got what you wanted because you didn't have the nuts to hang on like SHANNON SHARPE and win one before leaving.

That...is...all...

Hammock Parties · 09-22-2009, 03:58 AM

Of course Gonzalez came back to KC for a visit. He left a pussy goldmine here.

He was a Chief for 10 years. That's a lot of booty calls.

Fritz88 · 09-22-2009, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

**** YOU.

You begged out until you got what you wanted because you didn't have the nuts to hang on like SHANNON SHARPE and win one before leaving.

That...is...all...

There's no way KC would have been any better with him around at the moment. Let him go and win some games.

big nasty kcnut · 09-22-2009, 04:35 AM

I don't know
Posted via Mobile Device

**Rausch** · 09-22-2009, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz88

There's no way KC would have been any better with him around at the moment. Let him go and win some games.

This is the reason Will Shields is smoking crack on the streets as we speak...

big nasty kcnut · 09-22-2009, 04:54 AM

Brad really i heard he still trying to bang joe horn wife.
Posted via Mobile Device

ChiefJustice · 09-22-2009, 05:29 AM

Can somebody say "contractually obligated"?

**BigRedChief** · 09-22-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

**** YOU.

You begged out until you got what you wanted because you didn't have the nuts to hang on like SHANNON SHARPE and win one before leaving.

That...is...all...

I don't think we are going to be in the SuperBowl next year, even if Tony G would have stayed. I think his career is over next year.

**dirk digler** · 09-22-2009, 06:34 AM

I miss Tony

Mr. Arrowhead · 09-22-2009, 06:40 AM

it may suck now, but we will look at this trade 5 years from now, and be thankful Scott Pioli went through with it.

ChiefJustice · 09-22-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

it may suck now, but we will look at this trade 5 years from now, and be thankful Scott Pioli went through with it.

Yep,right around the time that a class act,that played his entire career with one team,goes into the HOF.

Thank you,Will Shields.

StcChief · 09-22-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

it may suck now, but we will look at this trade 5 years from now, and be thankful Scott Pioli went through with it.

we will see what ATL's 2010 brings in 2-3 years.

DumbHillbillies · 09-22-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

**** YOU.

You begged out until you got what you wanted because you didn't have the nuts to hang on like SHANNON SHARPE and win one before leaving.

That...is...all...

What ? Shannon Sharpe was actually on good teams in denver that had a chance of winning. Our Chiefs suck and will suck for at least another season after this one. By the time we are any good tony will be 35 and over the hill. And you want him to stick around here. For what.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 09-22-2009, 07:09 AM

god what a bunch of whiny spurned bitches you all are.

TG played hard in KC. He deserves some respect. Football is a business, if things meant he had to go, he had to go. But to act like he was a team cancer is ridiculous.

09-22-2009, 03:01 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $942813	Sam Mellinger: Former Chief Gonzalez is still tight with KC Former Chief Gonzalez is still tight with KC By SAM MELLINGER The Kansas City Star The party should’ve started by now. Should’ve started a half-hour or so ago, actually, but it won’t be much of an event until Kansas City’s favorite football player shows up. So a ballroom full of men in their pressed suits and women in their best dresses wait. There are big names here already, all in the name of charity. Each of them know the deal. David Cook is the local boy turned “American Idol” winner, a bona fide rock star. “I’m here to see Tony,” he says. Matt Cassel is the Chiefs’ starting quarterback with a beautiful wife and a $63 million contract, things that usually earn a man a certain status. “It’ll be great,” he says of the opportunity to meet Tony Gonzalez. This will be Gonzalez’s first time back in Kansas City since being traded this last offseason. Officially, he’ll be here to support the Shadow Buddies Foundation. Realistically, he’s also coming for the love. Gonzalez is playing the first of his 13 NFL seasons away from Kansas City, but this is still very much his town. With the Royals finishing a disappointing summer and the Chiefs on their way to a horrific autumn, he still just might be the most popular athlete in Kansas City. Maybe that eases the annoyance of the 3 1/2 -hour delay at the airport in Atlanta, his new NFL home, where he’s caught 12 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns for the 2-0 Falcons. It’s not lost on anyone that all those numbers would lead the 0-2 Chiefs, which sure doesn’t hurt the way people react when they finally see him roll up that escalator, back in downtown Kansas City for the fund-raiser on Monday night. “Tony!” they yell. “Hey, Randy,” he says to a familiar face. He holds his daughter and shakes some hands and when the reporters approach, he smiles. “You’re not going to ask me about the Chiefs, are you?” he says, and everyone laughs. This is the first time he’s been back since being traded to the Falcons. The losing wore on him, something he never tried much to hide. It’s different in Atlanta now, and he doesn’t mind saying so. “That whole winning environment is really great,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for anything else.” He doesn’t want those words to be misunderstood. He loves Kansas City. Says he always will. This is where he started his professional career at 21, a fresh college kid with a stubborn dream of playing in the NBA. He turned into the most prolific pass-catching tight end in NFL history here, making 10 Pro Bowls and setting NFL records for receptions, yards and touchdowns. When he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, people will remember his years with the Chiefs. Gonzalez became famous here on a higher level than any local athlete since perhaps Bo Jackson. He went on Oprah, wrote books, and did reality TV shows. He saved a man’s life with the Heimlich Maneuver during one offseason, and it made for a great story when it turned out the guy was actually a Chargers fan. That’s why this charity event buzzes. Mixed in with the sparkly dresses and high heels is at least one woman in a No. 88 Gonzalez jersey. Even with him playing on another team, there are still probably more Gonzalez jerseys than any other around town on Red Fridays. The love is mutual. When Gonzalez walked off his flight and into KCI, he paused for a moment and smiled at the familiarity. He came with his wife and young daughter, the three of them feeling the love and giving it back. “I grew up here,” he says. “I’ve been saying that all along, especially when they traded me. My heart’s in Kansas City. I love coming out here. It’s just great. The community out here was so good to me for all those years.” There is one question about the Chiefs, and Gonzalez admits that, yes, he does keep an eye on his old team. He smiles again and says he has to get inside to the dinner. They’re waiting on him. So he steps away, into more camera flashes and more hugs from old friends. He apologizes for being late. Nobody holds it against him. They’d have waited longer here to see him, just as he’d have waited longer in Atlanta to be here. It takes a few minutes for Gonzalez to get through the hugs and down to his front table. Seconds after he sits, the event’s hostess walks out. Gonzalez is here, finally and again. Now, the party can start.
Posts: 42,041

09-22-2009, 03:58 AM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	Of course Gonzalez came back to KC for a visit. He left a pussy goldmine here. He was a Chief for 10 years. That's a lot of booty calls. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,717

09-22-2009, 04:35 AM	#5
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1650900	I don't know Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 18,820

09-22-2009, 04:54 AM	#7
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1650900	Brad really i heard he still trying to bang joe horn wife. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 18,820

09-22-2009, 05:29 AM	#8
ChiefJustice The Stig Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: "Some say he has no home" Casino cash: $10004900	Can somebody say "contractually obligated"? __________________ Dante Hicks: But you hate people. Randal Graves: Yes, but I love gatherings. Isn't it ironic?
Posts: 4,806

09-22-2009, 06:34 AM	#10
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3284644	I miss Tony
Posts: 66,252

09-22-2009, 06:40 AM	#11
Mr. Arrowhead MVP Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10015708	it may suck now, but we will look at this trade 5 years from now, and be thankful Scott Pioli went through with it.
Posts: 7,763

09-22-2009, 07:09 AM	#15
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	god what a bunch of whiny spurned bitches you all are. TG played hard in KC. He deserves some respect. Football is a business, if things meant he had to go, he had to go. But to act like he was a team cancer is ridiculous.
Posts: 12,526