Report: Gonzalez Traded To Falcons
Posted by Aaron Wilson on April 23, 2009, 2:30 p.m. EDT
The Kansas City Chiefs have traded Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2010 second-round draft pick, according to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com.
This marks the first trade between former New England Patriots colleagues Scott Pioli, the Chiefs General Manager, and Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons General Manager.
Ironically, the 10-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro rejected a trade to Atlanta last year.
Now, though, the Falcons have an established young quarterback in Matt Ryan.
Gonzalez caught 96 passes last season for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In a dozen NFL seasons, Gonzalez has caught 916 career passes for 10,940 yards and 76 touchdowns.
UPDATE: The Chiefs have officially confirmed the deal and released statements from Chiefs team owner Clark Hunt and Pioli.
On behalf of my family and the Chiefs, I want to thank Tony for his time in Kansas City, Hunt said. Over the last 12 seasons, Tony has been one of the finest players in Chiefs history, and he will always be remembered as a member of the Chiefs.
His play on the field speaks for itself he holds almost every major NFL record for tight ends, and he is arguably the best to ever play his position. We wish him the best in Atlanta.
Added Pioli: From an organizational as well as personal standpoint, there are mixed emotions. I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.