Tony Gonzalez's Retirement Would Mark a Sad Moment for Football

Longtime tight end Tony Gonzalez announced in an ESPN/Facebook chat on Thursday that he would be retiring from football after the next season.

And it would mark a sad moment for football.

When asked via Facebook chat on Thursday how much longer he'd play for, Gonzalez said:

"

One year. I said that last year, though, and the year before. But I really do believe this is it. First of all, this is the first time my wife came to me and said, ‘You’re only going to play one more year, right?'

"

Gonzalez, a 12-time Pro Bowler who owns 10 NFL records, set the standard for the athletic tight end who acts like a receiver. He's eclipsed 90 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in a season four times and has 95 touchdowns in his career.

Before Antonio Gates and Vernon Davis, there was Gonzalez. He single-handedly changed the way we viewed a tight end, and he's continued to produce in his last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons despite being 35 years old.

You'd love to see Gonzalez win a championship before he retires, but that may prove difficult. The Falcons came into the playoffs with hope this season, but lost to the New York Giants, 24-2, in the Wild Card Round.

On top of that, the Falcons don't have a first-round pick in the draft because they gave up a lot for receiver Julio Jones in the 2011 draft (who turned out to be a good gamble).

Gonzalez, beyond his spectacular play, has always been known as a team player, which only adds to his legacy. The very fact that he announced this now to give the Falcons time to prepare is a noble gesture in itself. Gonzalez not only has been one of the best tight ends in football throughout his career, he's been a role model for kids coming up to the league.

Appreciate Gonzalez next season, because it will be the last time you get to see the man who changed a sport.

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