Tony Gonzalez 97% Sure On Retirement - Per Teammate

[houstonwhodat]

Per ProFootballTalk:


"Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez won a playoff game for the first time in his career last week, an experience that left him quite emotional after Matt Bryant’s winning field goal went through the uprights.

According to tight end Michael Palmer, it didn't make him any less likely to retire. Gonzalez has been sticking with an answer of “95 percent” all season when asked about the chances that this will be his final year as an NFL player, but Palmer said that Gonzalez actually upped the likelihood that he’ll be calling it quits.

He told me today he’s moving up to 97-percent sure after that win last week,” Palmer said, via Mike Garafolo of USA Today. “From what I can get from him, if we win the Super Bowl, I think he’ll ride off into the sunset.”



http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...on-retirement/

[Buns]

I'm happy to say that after speaking with my family, I'm coming back. The lure of being on such a great team and organization, along with unbelievable fan support was too good to pass up. We have a great shot to get to the Super Bowl, RISE UP ATLANTA!

- Tony Gonzalez's Facebook

[ceebz]

Too bad Matt Ryan ain't good enough to get him to the Super Bowl.

[boogblaster]

ok .....

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by ceebz

Too bad Matt Ryan ain't good enough to get him to the Super Bowl.

yeah, everyone was saying the same thing about ol' Joe Flacco until a little over a month ago...

[tk13]

Originally Posted by Driving Wheel

yeah, everyone was saying the same thing about ol' Joe Flacco until a little over a month ago...

Or Eli Manning, etc, etc. As Peyton and Brady finish their careers, the mantle is going to be taken over by the Flacco, Ryan, Stafford, Rodgers group.

Either way, they were like 10 yards from a Super Bowl this year. And somehow it got lost in the Russell Wilson hype that Ryan had a truly clutch last drive to win that playoff game against the Seahawks. If some other QBs had done that we'd still be talking about it.

It is hard to get back though, especially when the NFC is so tough.

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by loochy

HAY GUYZ DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE COOL IF TONY GONZOLOZ CAME BACK FOR A YEAR TO TEH CHIEFS AND GOT A RING BEFORE RETIRE?

LETZ DOO IT

[ceebz]

Flacco has never had the weapons that Ryan has. Apples to Oranges....

[Canofbier]

Per NFL.com:

Tony Gonzalez not retiring, will rejoin Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons kept working on changing Tony Gonzalez's mind, whittling away at the "95 percent chance" that the tight end would retire. All that work has paid off.
NFL Exposure
Tony Gonzalez through the years
Take a look at photos of Tony Gonzalez through the years.

Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Tuesday that Gonzalez has informed the Falcons he is coming back, and the sides are working on a new contract. Gonzalez later confirmed via Twitter he'll return next season.

"After discussing it with my family and really, truly struggling with this decision I informed the Falcons I would like to return for one more shot," Gonzalez told Glazer.

Gonzalez later wrote on Twitter: "The lure of being on such a great team and organization, along with unbelievable fan support was too good to pass up."

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, via a team release officially announcing the move Tuesday, said Gonzalez's exemplary attitude has paid dividends.

"Tony has been vital to our success over the last four seasons and we are excited that he has decided to return for a fifth season," Dimitroff said. "He is a great teammate and is a leader of our football team on the field and in the community. Tony leads by example and his professionalism has paid dividends across our entire organization."

Dimitroff later appeared on NFL Network and called doing a contract with Gonzalez a formality.

Gonzo is the best tight end available in a deep market, but he wasn't interested in shopping his wares to other teams. The Falcons were prepared for this moment; they created salary-cap room by releasing veterans like Dunta Robinson, John Abraham and Michael Turner. Gonzalez is older than all of them, but he's also playing at a Pro Bowl level.

The Falcons' offense still could use a running back, but their passing game should remain dynamic with Gonzalez sandwiched between wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White.

"It's great -- for Atlanta and for the NFL," Falcons owner Arthur Blank told NFL.com's Steve Wyche in a text message.