Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end of all-time and when he decides to retire, there is no doubt that he will be enshrined in Canton.
This season, Gonzalez won the first playoff game of his career against the Seattle Seahawks, but he will retire without a Super Bowl appearance if he follows through with his plans. Gonzalez said after the Falcons' 28-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that there was a good chance he would retire.
"It's probably the last time I'm going to wear that uniform," Gonzalez said to the Associated Press. "I didn't want to take it off, to tell you the truth. All good things come to an end, and like I said all season long, this is probably my last one. What an unbelievable ride."
Throughout the season Gonzalez acted as if it was hit last year and said that he was "95 percent sure" he would retire after this season. The tight end was one of the best receivers for the Falcons against the 49ers, making eight catches for 72 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception with 25 seconds remaining in the first half, which was the last score of the game for the Falcons.
Gonzalez was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl since joining the Falcons four years ago, making it 13-career times that he has earned the trip to Hawaii
"I'm not going to cry about it," Gonzalez said after the conclusion of his 16th season. "I walk away with the satisfaction I left everything, absolutely everything, every time I was on the field. I wish it would have culminated with the Super Bowl, but it didn't."
Gonzalez has put up stats at the position that are likely to stand for many years. He has the most receptions for a tight end with 1,242, as well as the most receiving yards (14,268) and touchdowns (103). Making his numbers even more impressive is the distance between him and the second place player on each list. Shannon Sharpe is second with 815 catches and 10,060 yards, while Antonio Gates has 83 receiving touchdowns.
Gonzalez was drafted as the 13th overall pick with the Chiefs in 1997, where he established himself as a Hall of Fame-caliber tight end.
Although Gonzalez has said he plans to retire, his teammate Sean Weatherspoon thinks otherwise.
"I think he's coming back," Weatherspoon said -- with a hearty laugh on Monday, according to CBSSports.com. "I think if we had a bad year, he wouldn't come back. But we had a great year, so I think we are right there."
Coach Mike Smith echoed those sentiments, but said that Gonzalez has been set in his decision for most of the year. Gonzalez would be playing in his 17th season if he came back.
"I'm hoping for the five percent," Smith said. "Tony handled this very well all season long. He spoke at the beginning of the season and said this is where my head is, and I don't think he's deviated from that."
The Falcons finished 13-3 this season after starting off 8-0, winning the NFC South and taking the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The team won its first postseason game under Ryan and Smith, but could not turn it into a Super Bowl appearance after taking a 17-0 lead against the 49ers.
Gonzalez had another solid season for the Falcons, leading the team with 93 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. Even if Gonzalez does decide to retire, he will have some other opportunities.
According to ESPN.com, Gonzalez has partnered with FitStar to create a new fitness app, which helps to turn people's iPad's into a personal trainer. The app is designed to give tips on diet, training as well as customized workouts. The report says it will have 60 exercises that can be done anywhere with no equipment necessary.
"I'm extremely proud to be working with such an awesome group of folks who are passionate about improving the health of individuals with engaging and entertaining apps," said Tony Gonzalez. "FitStar truly is a dynamic, immersive and inspirational way to help people reach their health and fitness goals. I'm really excited about the promise FitStar: Tony Gonzalez holds in making a positive impact on the wellness of the country as a whole."
The app will also have social media interaction as well as custom fitness goals and programs for all lifestyles. According to ESPN.com: "One of the co-founders of "FitStar" managed to lose 30 pounds during the launch."
The "FitStar: Tony Gonzalez" app is set for release this spring and will give the tight end another forum to work on fitness and health. Gonzalez has been known for years as one of the most healthy athletes in the NFL and has worked to take care of his body during his 16-year NFL career, never playing in less than 15 games in any season.
According to Yahoo Sports, "FitStar Labs, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco. The company's mission is to build a digital health and fitness platform to inspire people to live healthier lives. Founded in 2012, the company is backed by several prominent angels and venture investors including Google Ventures, Advancit Capital, FLOODGATE Fund, Founder Collective, MESA+, Neil Young and Bob Stevenson's LLL Capital, Ronnie Lott and Ed Zander."