Kansas City Chiefs: Is Tony Gonzalez the best player in franchise history?
Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez was named as one member of the 2019 Hall of Fame class and it’s well-deserved. Gonzalez still sticks out as the best player in Chiefs history.
It’s hard to tell the story of the Kansas City Chiefs without mentioning Tony Gonzalez and that’s why it’s hard to argue against him being the best player in franchise history.
The Chiefs selected the California tight end with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and little did they know it’d be arguably the greatest selection in franchise history. Gonzalez went on to do incredible things with the KC Chiefs.
He spent 12 years as the team’s starting tight end, hauling in 916 receptions for 10,940 yards and 76 touchdowns. He made it to nine Pro Bowls and was All-Pro four times with the Chiefs and missed just TWO games in that 12-year span.
The tight end position would never be the same.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 2, 2019
Congratulations on being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, @TonyGonzalez88! pic.twitter.com/lH9D2bZ3dR
The only blemish on Gonzalez’s Chiefs tenure is the fact that the teams he played with weren’t very good. His rookie year in 1997 saw the Chiefs have home field advantage in the postseason, but they lost in the Divisional Round against the Broncos.
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After that, the Chiefs went to the playoffs just two more times, losing both games. Gonzalez was 0-3 in postseason play in Kansas City, which is a big reason why no one blamed him when he wanted a change of scenery and a chance to play for a Super Bowl contender.
When looking back at Gonzalez’s numbers with the Chiefs, keep in mind that he didn’t have a franchise quarterback for a good portion of his career. In fact, some of the quarterbacks throwing to him were downright awful (looking at you, Brodie Croyle). That’s why Gonzalez is the best to ever wear a Chiefs uniform.
In the 2007 season, the Chiefs had moved on from Trent Green and thought Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle were the answer at the position. Gonzalez, despite the terrible talent at quarterback, hauled in 99 receptions for 1,172 yards and five touchdowns.
The next year, on a team that went 2-14, he had 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and ten touchdowns. Tyler Thigpen was his quarterback in case you forgot. How many other NFL tight ends would put up the type of production that Gonzalez did in with those quarterbacks throwing to him? Not many.
Gonzalez is looked at by many as the best tight end to ever play the sport and he spent 12 years putting up those numbers as a Chief. How can that not make him the best player in franchise history?
I know some fans are a little upset with Gonzalez right now because of some “pro-Falcons” comments he’s made this past week, but don’t let that taint what he did in Kansas City.
Next. Five Best Tight Ends in Chiefs History. dark
It’s hard to believe that Gonzalez has already been out of football for five years, but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Chiefs Kingdom still loves Tony Gonzalez to this day and he absolutely 100% deserves this honor.
Congrats Tony G!