Tony Gonzalez: I’ve Had a Great Ride
By Josh Sanchez
Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez walked off of the turf at the Georgia Dome in tears following the team’s 28-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. The loss ended a promising season for the Falcons and it appears to have been the last time that we will get to see Gonzalez in uniform.
Gonzalez said before the season that he was 95 percent certain this would be his final season in the league and he all but confirmed his retirement when he was leaving the field.
“I’ve had a great ride. It’s been awesome. I have no regrets,” Gonzalez said.
It is hard to take a player’s words immediately after a loss as a final decision, but Gonzalez has appeared ready to retire all along, despite having plenty of productive football left in the gas tank.
On Sunday, Gonzalez hauled in eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. If it truly is the last time we saw Gonzalez on a football field, he went out with another impressive performance and can proudly say he is among the best tight ends in NFL history.