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2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement: Meet the Inductees

By A.J. Fagerlin

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 2: Fans take a photo outside the Hall of Fame prior to the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 2: Fans take a photo outside the Hall of Fame prior to the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons enters the field during pregame introductions prior to facing the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on December 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons enters the field during pregame introductions prior to facing the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on December 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Tony Gonzalez, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs / Atlanta Falcons

Tony Gonzalez tops many people’s list of the greatest tight ends of all-time. The lone offensive playmaker in the class from a defense-dominated era, Gonzalez was one of the most steady and reliable targets a quarterback could wish for.

Gonzalez played for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons in his career, excelling with great success for both franchises. In his 17-year career, the only season in which he did not start at least 15 games was his rookie season as a Chief in 1997 after being selected in the first round by Kansas City.

Towards the top of the list in nearly every statistical receiving category imaginable, Gonzalez was not just a top tight end, he was a top receiver and player as a whole. Gonzalez had four 1,000 receiving yard seasons throughout his career, all coming with the Chiefs.

Five of his six First Team All-Pro selections came as a Chief, as Gonzalez spent 12 seasons in Kansas City before being traded to Atlanta. As a Falcon, he never had fewer than 70 receptions and six touchdowns.

Gonzalez led the league in receptions in 2004 with an incredible 104 catches on the season. He ranks behind only Jerry Rice in career receptions, leading all tight ends with 1,325 on his career. Gonzalez also has the most receiving yards by a tight end with 15,137 yards.

Additionally, Gonzalez ranks second in NFL history in consecutive starts by a tight end (120) and consecutive games with a reception (211). Gonzalez has appeared in a record 14 Pro Bowls and is the all-time receptions leader in Pro Bowl history (49).

A First Team All-Pro Selection 7 times (1999-2003, 2008, 2012), Gonzalez was voted MVP of both teams that he played for (Chiefs in 2008 and Falcons in 2009). Like a few of his fellow inductees, Gonzalez also was named to the All-Decade Team for the 2000’s, and is the first modern-era tight end to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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Dennis Allen, Tony’s cousin and best friend, will present Gonzalez as the last inductee of the night on Saturday in Canton.

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