Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said he was ’95 percent’ sure he would retire following last season. The Falcons came up just short of going to the Super Bowl after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship. They convinced Gonzalez to come back and give it another try but with the Falcons having a dismal season and mathematically ruled out from going to the playoffs, it appears it’s all over.
Gonzalez says he “can’t complain about anything,” even though his team has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs before December.
Gonzalez said he thinks about the end of his nearly 30 years of playing days “all the time … every day.”
“I’m sure those questions are going to be asked a lot more as it gets closer to the end,” Gonzalez said, via The Kansas City Star. “But for me, why would I want to change anything? Of course I want to win a Super Bowl, but at the same time I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished and the relationships I’ve made over the years. Everything happens for a reason, and hopefully it makes me a better person in the process.” “I’m never going to be able to put on these pads again,” Gonzalez added. “It’s a good, thing, too. It’s going to be sad, but at the same time, it’s going to be enlightening. It’s a whole new chapter waiting for me. I can say that I’m going to enjoy these last five weeks.”
Gonzalez had an amazing Hall of Fame career and is considered by many as the greatest tight end in NFL history. Despite all of his accomplishments, he never won a Super Bowl ring.
Many suggested the Falcons should trade Gonzalez back to the Chiefs where he began. Even though the Chiefs have improved tremendously and had a spectacular 9-0 start, I don’t see them winning the Super Bowl anyways.
Gonzalez seems content with his career and with stats he’s put up, I don’t blame him.
