Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced on Friday that former tight end and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez will be the organization's 2018 inductee into the Chiefs Hall of Fame. Gonzalez is the 48th individual and 44th player to earn this coveted honor, which will be celebrated at the 48th annual 101 Awards banquet in downtown Kansas City on February 24. The official enshrinement ceremony into the Chiefs Hall of Fame will be held during Chiefs Alumni Weekend at Arrowhead Stadium this fall.
"Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in the history of the National Football League and one of the greatest Chiefs of all time," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "In his 12 seasons in Kansas City, he revolutionized his position, and his record-breaking performances and commitment to the Kansas City community made him one of the most beloved players in the Chiefs Kingdom. As a family and as an organization, we are excited to have the chance to celebrate Tony and his incredible career in the coming season, and we look forward to adding his name to its rightful place in the Ring of Honor at Arrowhead this fall."
"I'm so proud to have been a part of the Chiefs for 12 seasons and will always feel like a part of their family," Gonzalez said. "Kansas City is dear to me and I am honored to be inducted into their Hall of Fame."
Over 17 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (1997-08) and Atlanta Falcons (2009-13) Gonzalez appeared in 270 regular season games with 254 starts, earning 14 Pro Bowl appearances (1999-08, 2010-13) and 10 first- or second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press.
He finished his career with numerous NFL records for tight ends, including most career receptions (1,325), most receiving yards (15,127), most 100-yard receiving games (31) and second-most touchdown receptions (111) behind TE Antonio Gates (114). While first among tight ends, his 1,325 career receptions are second to only Pro Football Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (1,549) in NFL history.
Gonzalez recorded at least one reception in 211 consecutive games to finish his career, 61 games more than the previous NFL record by a tight end. He became the first tight end in league history to produce 16 consecutive seasons with 50 or more receptions and ended his career with 14 70-catch seasons and 15 consecutive 60-catch campaigns to go with his 16 consecutive 50-catch seasons.
The Huntington Beach, Calif., native, saw duty in 190 regular season games for Kansas City, ranking as the fifth-most appearances by any player in team history. Only G Will Shields (224), K Nick Lowery (212), P Dustin Colquitt (206) and P Jerrel Wilson (203) played in more games. Gonzalez started 174 contests for the Chiefs, ranking second in franchise history for most starts behind only Shields (223).
During his 12 seasons with the Chiefs he set franchise records for receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940), receiving touchdowns (76) and 100-yard games (26). He had four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in Kansas City, becoming the first tight end in NFL history to record four such seasons. He owns the top four spots in team history for receptions in a single season, including a franchise record 102 catches that led the league during the 2004 season. He caught at least one pass in a club-record 131 consecutive games en route to 10 Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pro selections from the Associated Press while in a Chiefs uniform.
He concluded his career in Kansas City with a franchise-record 10,954 yards from scrimmage and ranks second in team annals with 76 total touchdowns behind RB Priest Holmes (83). His 462 career points with the club are the second most by any non-kicker, trailing only Holmes (500). Gonzalez was named the recipient of both Chiefs annual team honors, earning the Derrick Thomas Award as the Chiefs MVP in 2008 and the Mack Lee Hill Award as the club's top rookie or first-year player in 1997.
A two-sport athlete at the University of California, Gonzalez arrived in Kansas City as the club's first-round draft choice (13th overall) in 1997. Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons on April 23, 2009.
Gonzalez officially announced his retirement from the game of football on December 30, 2013. Following his playing career he began a broadcasting career with CBS Sports in 2014 and joined FOX Sports prior to the start of the 2017 NFL season.
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.
