The memories and journey he took from being the Kansas City Chiefs' first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in the 1997 NFL Draft-all the way to earning the distinction of being the greatest tight end in NFL history-all rushed back to him as his plane descended towards Kansas City Saturday afternoon prior to the 101 Awards in Kansas City.
It was at this awards show-the 48th edition and nation's longest-running Salute to Professional Football-that former Chiefs' great Tony Gonzalez was honored as the 48th player to be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.
While the official celebration won't take place until this fall on Alumni weekend, the memories of how he got to his current status all came flooding back to him as his plane neared the ground.
"To be able to come in and play with guys like Derrick Thomas, Marcus Allen, Andre Rison and Elvis Grbac-my first quarterback, and others, there are just so many memories just flowing through my mind," Gonzalez explained. "It was just an unbelievable ride for me over those 12 years (in Kansas City)-so many different players and relationships, and that's what it's all about."
After spending the first 12 years of what ultimately became a 17-year NFL career in Kansas City, Gonzalez racked up a list of records and accolades that will be hard for anyone to match.
Not only does he hold all of the Chiefs' key receiving records-things like receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940), and 100-yard games (26), but Gonzalez is also tops in NFL history in those categories when his five years with the Atlanta Falcons are added to those totals.
"Few players in the history of this franchise, and for that matter, the NFL, have had a bigger impact on his position, than Tony Gonzalez did as a tight end," Chiefs' Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt explained in the press conference before introducing Gonzalez.
Over the course of his career, Gonzalez became the first tight end in NFL history to have 16-straight seasons of at least 50 receptions, and his 1,325 career receptions rank second in NFL history only behind Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice (1,549).
Look back at some of the best shots of TE Tony Gonzalez throughout his years with the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates after blocking a punt by San Francisco 49ers Tommy Thompson during the second quarter, Nov. 30, 1997, Gonzalez returned the ball for 9 yards to the 49ers three yard line.
Tony Gonzalez (88) of the Kansas City Chiefs' catches an eight-yard touchdown pass from Oakland Raiders' quarterback Rich Gannon as Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter (54) and New Orleans Saints' Joe Johnson (94) look on during the first quarter
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 of the AFC squad at the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl game against the NFC on February 8, 2004 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 55-52.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Trent Green in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
November 1, 2004. Tony Gonzalez celebrates after catching a touchdown in Kansas City, MO against the Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez (88) runs for extra yardage after grabbing a pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (20) during the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Gonzalez had 9 catches
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum on December 5, 2004 in Oakland, California. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-27.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Renaldo Hill (22) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) during the second quarter Sunday, Nov 6, 2006, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, center, catches a touchdown in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson in the third quarter of NFL football action in the Wild Card playoff game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007.
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates next to San Diego Chargers' Stephen Cooper (54) and Clinton Hart (42) after Gonzalez scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, in San Diego.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs gains some yardage after a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on October 14, 2007 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Bengals 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez celebrates his second touchdown catch of the game during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won the game 27-20.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs smiles during a postgame television interview after catching two touchdown passes and setting a new NFL record for touchdown receptions by a tight end, 64, The Chiefs defeated the Bengals 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez celebrates his 17-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of a football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Kansas City, Mo. The Packers won 33-22
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) smiles during pregame warmups before an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders s on December 9, 2001. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 28-26.
Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez making a play with the football in a game verse the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday November 30, 2003 in San Diego.
SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 9: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 9, 2008 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 20-19.
Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after breaking the NFL record for touchdown receptions by a tight end against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 14, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City defeated Cincinnati 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs Tony Gonzalez looks on against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on November 28, 2004. The Chargers won 34-31.
Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs smiles as he warms up prior to a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 25, 2001 during an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. The Colts won 35-28.
Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs leaps to make a reception against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 9, 2001 during an NFL football game in Oakland, Ca. The Raiders won 28-26.
Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs greets fans prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium on November 2 in Kansas City, Missouri. Tampa Bay won 30-27 in overtime
Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the field prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19 in Kansas City, Missouri. Tennessee defeated Kansas City 34-10.
But as Gonzalez explained, it wasn't always easy and didn't begin with much fanfare.
"I dropped 17 footballs (my rookie year)," he explained. "I led the NFL in dropped passes and I was getting ripped up in the papers and by fans."
Gonzalez specifically cited a piece written by former Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, who had given Gonzalez and the Chiefs a grade of D- after the first-round picks' rookie year-even quickly adding the bust label on a player who will be preparing for another bust soon as a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer.
"Looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to me," Gonzalez explained. "You talk about growth-the hard times. That's when you find out what you're made of. I remember I made a decision that I'd never hear that again, that I'd never be outworked."
And he wasn't.
"I got to learn from being able to watch guys like Will Shields and Tony Richardson," Gonzalez added. "Seeing a guy like Marcus Allen, who reached out to me my rookie year, and working with a guy like Warren Moon-Hall of Famers-guys who have been there and done that, and who can leave that mark on me.
"It changed everything for me. I became a man here in Kansas City. I will always be thankful for my time-those 12 years were fun. We might not have won that many games or any playoff games, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Honestly. It made the person who I am now and what I'm doing with my life with my wife and kids. I owe it all to Kansas City."
And for as much as his play on the field defined who he was to many people, the man he was away from it-the guy getting heavily involved in a program like Shadow Buddies, which helps emotionally and medically-challenged children, and helping it grow from a regional thing to a national program-is part of the legacy Gonzalez still carries with him to this day.
And in addition to the countless "88" jerseys that are still donned every Sunday by those in Chiefs Kingdom recognizing the greatest to ever play the position, Gonzalez's legacy will have another permanent reminder at Arrowhead Stadium beginning in the fall when his name is added to the Ring of Honor.
"It's an unbelievable feeling, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this Kansas City organization. Now, to be able to go up in that Ring of Honor and be listed with all of those guys, it's amazing. You couldn't ask for anything more."
