Chiefs' Legend Tony Gonzalez Named a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Gonzalez was enshrined in the Chiefs Ring of Honor earlier this season

Jan 03, 2019 at 05:43 PM

Matt McMullen

Chiefs Reporter

Tony Gonzalez is one step closer to Canton.

The 14-time Pro Bowler was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon, joining 14 other modern-era finalists.

Congratulations to @TonyGonzalez88 who is a #PFHOF19 Finalist!

- 14X Pro Bowls
- 2000s All-Decade Team
- Career 1,325 receptions, 15,127 receiving yards, 111 TDs pic.twitter.com/IdMpHosG7G
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 3, 2019

Gonzalez, who was enshrined in the Chiefs Ring of Honor earlier this season, finished his career with the most career receptions (1,325), receiving yards (15,127) and 100-yard receiving games (31) by a tight end in NFL history, and the second-most touchdown receptions (111) behind only the Los Angeles Chargers' Antonio Gates (114).

Additionally, Gonzalez's 1,325 career receptions are second to only Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice (1,549) for the most in NFL history.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates a touchdown during the Nov. 4, 2007 home game against the Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs lost 22-33.

The finalists will be presented to the Hall of Fame Selection Committee the day prior to the Super Bowl. Senior Finalist Johnny Robinson, who spent his entire career with the Texans/Chiefs franchise from 1960-71, and Contributor Finalists Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt will also be included in the voting.

Between four and eight of those individuals will be immortalized in Canton next August.