Tony Gonzalez became the first tight end in the history of the NFL to catch 1,000 passes as he eclipsed the mark last weekend in Pittsburgh. Gonzalez made his 1,000th reception when Matt Ryan found him for a 20-yard completion during the third quarter of Atlanta’s 15-9 overtime loss.
The 10-time Pro Bowler added one more catch later in the game and currently stands at career marks of 1,0001 receptions for 11,842 yards and 82 touchdowns. No other player at his position has hauled in as many passes in the 91-year history of the league.
“It was great to finally catch my 1,000th pass,” Gonzalez said after the Week 1 setback in an interview with AtlantaFalcons.com. “It’s an accomplishment that I am very proud of and one that signifies that I’ve been blessed to play this great game for a long time.”
Gonzalez is seventh overall on the NFL’s all-time receptions list, trailing Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Isaac Bruce, and Terrell Owens. The 33-year-old is just 12 catches behind Owens and 23 shy of Bruce. After Gonzalez, the next tight end on the list is Shannon Sharpe at No. 21 with 815 receptions.
To commemorate Gonzalez’s milestone, the Falcons have declared this Sunday “Tony Gonzalez Day” at the Georgia Dome. A ceremony will be held prior to kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals, with owner and CEO Arthur Blank, president Rich McKay, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff in attendance.
Safety Erik Coleman, who has a “Rollin’ with Coleman” segment on the team’s website, caught up with Gonzalez earlier this week. Gonzalez explained that he had hoped to achieve the milestone at home, but he will be more than happy to settle for a ceremony with family and friends.
“It’s really where I wish I could have (done) it,” Gonzalez said when asked by Coleman about celebrating this weekend at the Georgia Dome. “Always when you get a chance to come back in front of the fans and celebrate a milestone like that, it’s something that’s special. I’m glad that my family is going to be there. Uncles, friends, cousins; everybody is coming to town for the opening weekend to celebrate this day with me. So it’s something I’m pretty happy to be a part of.”
In addition to holding “Tony Gonzalez Day” at the Dome, Gonzalez jerseys are being sold at half price on Falcons365.com and will also be 50 percent off on Sunday. Fans can still purchase a special package for $88 (Gonzalez’s uniform number) that includes two tickets to Sunday’s game and a Gonzalez replica jersey. The sure-thing Hall of Famer will be featured on the gameday program’s cover and the first 60,000 to roll through the gates will receive Falcons battle flags.
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