NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends

By Hans Themistode

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Hall of Fame enshrinee Ray Lewis is introduced before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Hall of Fame enshrinee Ray Lewis is introduced before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 27
Next
Tony Gonzalez
Tony Gonzalez (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends: TE, Tony Gonzalez

Career stats: 

  • 15,127 receiving yards
  • 1,325 receptions
  • 111 touchdowns

Accolades: 

  • 14 Pro Bowler
  • 6 time First Team All-Pro

With apologies to quarterback Tom Brady and his best friend Rob Gronkowski, but we simply couldn’t put him in this spot.

The consensus thought process surrounding who’s the best tight end of all time is that Gronkowski is head and shoulders above everyone else. Their reasoning is simple, Gronk has won three Super Bowl rings and played a vital role in every single run. While there’s no denying the legitimacy of that argument, Gronkowski wasn’t as dominant as Tony Gonzalez.

In terms of receiving yards, Gonzalez has nearly double the yardage of Gronk, 15,127 to 8,484, and in fact, he ranks number one all-time in that department. He also ranks above everyone at the tight end position in terms of receptions with 1,325 and second in touchdowns with 111. Gronkowski does hold the slight edge in the run blocking category but that’s about it.

Gronkowski has been great during his career and with a third championship ring in his second location, he continues to add to his legacy. But, Gonzalez never played with anyone in the same stratosphere as quarterback Tom Brady and he also didn’t have the benefit of having the greatest coach of all time in his corner in Bill Belichick. When it comes to dominating the game, there is no question that Gronkowski is more than capable of doing that, but neither him nor anyone else for that matter did it quite like Tony Gonzalez.

Home/NFL