Tony Gonzalez is set to return and earn his $5.75 million
Tony Gonzalez Day" - Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank honors tight end Tony Gonzalez with a pregame ceremony commemorating his 1,000th catch at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez will return to the team next season, according to his public relations representative Denise White.
“He’s definitely coming back,” said White, the chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based EAG sports management. “He’s excited to be a Falcon next season and make another run at the Super Bowl.”
Gonzalez was on the Jim Rome’s show on ESPN and stated that he “definitely” planned to return.
He’s set to make $5.75 million next season, but had stated after the Falcons’ loss to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs that it was a “possibility” that he would retire.
He caught 70 passes for 656 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Gonzalez, who will turn 35 in February, is in California. He’s leaving for Hawaii on Tuesday for the Pro Bowl.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank suspected that Gonzalez was leaning toward returning.
“Tony is a first ballot hall of famer,” Blank said on Thursday at the Buckhead Business Association luncheon. “He played 14 years. He’s 34 years old. He has a body of probably somebody who’s 24 years old.”
Gonzalez stated that he knew health-wise he could return.
“He’s very, very devoted to taking care of himself and his family,” Blank said.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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110 comments Add your comment
Singletary
January 23rd, 2011
3:55 pm
I like it. Old Man. We often think of progressions as discards, but maybe they are circle backs.
mj
January 23rd, 2011
5:31 pm
third string QB gets the Bears within 7. Wake up Falcons, get the defense in playoff caliber. Corners, Coordinator and DE. Can’t win without those three filled.
CONservative Johnson
January 23rd, 2011
6:10 pm
This 3rd string is stepping up in the pocket, which was one of the things Matt Ryan didn’t do last week . . .
CONservative Johnson
January 23rd, 2011
6:15 pm
Coaching finishes the Bears off. Why not use your last time out on 4th down when you have a 3rd string QB?
PlanB
January 23rd, 2011
6:43 pm
I’ve been a fan forever and sorry to say, this team needs help. Matt is good but can’t whip the ball like Rodgers or move up for a 2nd look or a run. C Owens is last years C. Houston. He killed us.We need help in so many places to be a contender. We’ve got a lot of good guys but hurt in so many critical areas. Grimes height is not one of the problems. Give me 4 of him anytime.
We can’t get it all in the draft. We need at least 2 good FA’s. I hoped when I read a coach is leaving that it was MM. Should maybe go to a 3-4 on D. Team is going in the right direction tho.
I’m probably droping my football package here in Durham, NC (moved from Gainesville) due to the big letdown with GB and catch them in the playoffs next year. I’ll still catch Falcon games on the Sun. nite or Mon. nite or Thurs. nite and the 2 games with Carolina and read what you guys want in the draft.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:23 pm
Man don’t anyone care about that old, quick sand, running in-place Tony Gonzalez. This team better use one of the younger TEs. That’s the problem with this HC now…he act like he’s stuck in the 70s. Talking about seniority on the team and all that garbage. You put the BEST player on the field. PERIOD!
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:35 pm
Oh, but wait a minute…Dimitroff hasn’t put any good players on the field. He insists on going to these small midwestern schools that don’t have any impact players–or anyone that has championship experience. I’m not convince this guy knows what he’s doing as a GM–or scout.
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:37 pm
Also, save that $5.75M for players who are hungry to get on the field and make an impact.
McBubba
January 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
Birds need a deep threat..I’m thinking Sidney RIce…White/Rice…Ice to Rice…
GIT-R-DONE T.D.!
GO BIRDS!!
Mitun
January 24th, 2011
1:51 am
would some of y’all just shut up already, I mean whatever happen to Falcons in the playoff is in the past now, not all the team can win all of them. This is a young team and we needed Tony Gonzalez as our TE cause needed some weapons for the passing game other than Roddy White because you can’t rely on Jenkins a whole lot and I don’t know about the other receivers but as of right now Matty Ice can only throw to White and Gonzalez manly.
I believe in this team and it would take time for us to get a ring and the Lombardi trophy. we just need to add some more weapons and get better in our defense and we are set.