Tony Gonzalez by the numbers

Atlanta Falcons

If Tony Gonzalez does indeed retire after 16 NFL season, he will leave behind a legacy of stats the define him as one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Here is just a peek at the mark he may be leaving behind:

With Tony Gonzalez retiring after his 17th NFL season, he owns a legacy of stats that defines him as one of the best tight ends in NFL history.

15,071: Tony Gonzalez is one of only two tight ends with more than 10,000 yards receiving. Only Kellen Winslow Sr. comes close with 1,280.

1,321: Tony Gonzalez trails only Jerry Rice in total number of catches. No other tight end in NFL history has more than 1,000 receptions.

111. The 15th-highest touchdown total in NFL history. Jerry Rice is the all-time leader with 208. Among tight ends, Gonzalez is No. 1.

13: Tony Gonzalez has been voted to the annual All-Star game 13 times. He's been voted to the game each of the last three years. Will 2013 make it four in a row?

14: Only once -- in 2004-- has Tony Gonzalez had more than 100 catches in a season, but for 14 of his 16 NFL seasons he caught the ball 70 or more times. In 2012, Gonzalez led the Falcons with 93 receptions. He has 79 catches this year.

9: Before hooking up with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008, Tony Gonzalez worked with a string of quarterbacks in Kansas City -- seven total over 12 seasons. Chris Redman subbed for Ryan for two games over four years in Atlanta.

4: No other tight end in NFL history has had as many seasons with 1,000 receiving yards. In fact, before Gonzalez, tight ends had only recorded 1,000-yard seasons seven times. Barring a monster game in his last game, he won't get there this season: he currently has 803.

2: Tony Gonzalez takes pride in taking care of his body, and rightfully so. In a 16-year career, he has only missed two games due to injury - the last one coming in 2006.

1: Tony Gonzalez will retire with just one postseason win over a career in which he has played in 249 regular season games and seven playoff appearances. The lone victory came last season over Seattle.

1/10

With Tony Gonzalez retiring after his 17th NFL season, he owns a legacy of stats that defines him as one of the best tight ends in NFL history.

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