(kcchiefs.com) Former Kansas City Chiefs tightend Tony Gonzalez is one step closer to Canton.
Gonzalez, who will be enshrined in the Chiefs Ring of Honor during Kansas City’s Thursday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 13, was named one of 102 Modern Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Over 17 seasons with Kansas City (1997-08) and the Atlanta Falcons (2009-13), Gonzalez earned 14 Pro Bowl selections (1999-08, 2010-13) and 10 first- or second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press.
He finished his career with the most career receptions (1,325), receiving yards (15,127) and 100-yard receiving games (31) by a tight end in NFL history, and the second-most touchdown receptions (111) behind only the Los Angeles Chargers’ Antonio Gates (114).
Additionally, Gonzalez’s 1,325 career receptions are second to only Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice (1,549) for the most in NFL history.
Joining Gonzalez on the list of nominees are former Chiefs’ defensive end Neil Smith (1988-96), cornerback Albert Lewis (1983-1993), defensive end Leslie O’Neal (1998-99), cornerback Ty Law (2006-07), quarterback Dave Krieg (1992-93) and head coaches Marty Schottenheimer (1989-98) and Dick Vermeil (2001-05).
