Tag Archives: All-Pro

Gonzalez to Serve as “Legends Captain” at 2017 NFL Pro Bowl

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Tony Gonzalez is making a legend(s)dary return to the National Football League…

The NFL has announced that the 40-year-old part-Mexican American former NFL tight end will serve as one of four “Legends Captains” at the 2017 Pro Bowl.

Tony Gonzalez

“Some of my favorite NFL memories were from my Pro Bowl trips,” said Gonzalez, via NFL.com. “One thing that made my Pro Bowl experiences so special was getting to share them with my family. Pro Bowl Week in Orlando brings that to a whole new level, and I’m excited to be a part of this event that brings together the entire football community — players, coaches, families and fans — to celebrate the game’s best.”

After a three-year switch to a draft format, the Pro Bowl will return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC style for 2017.

Each conference will be led by two “Legends Captains” — one offensive and one defensive. Jerome Bettis (offense) and Ray Lewis (defense) will lead the AFC, while Gonzalez (offense) and Charles Woodson (defense) will lead the NFC.

During Pro Bowl Week, the four “Legends Captains” will serve as mentors for the Pro Bowl players, coach practices and be present on the sidelines on game day.

In his 12 seasons (1997-2008) with the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez compiled 916 receptions for 10,940 yards receiving and 76 touchdowns. Gonzalez still holds Chiefs franchise records in each of the three categories. The 6x First-team All-pro then played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2009-2013.

Gonzalez appeared in 14 Pro Bowls during his 17-year NFL career and ranks as the all-time leader in Pro Bowl receptions (42) and touchdowns (6).

Gonzalez to Play One Final Season with the Falcons?

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It looks like Tony Gonzalez isn’t about to ride off into the sunset just yet…

Despite hinting at retirement last season, the 37-year-old part-Mexican pro football star has reportedly changed his tune.

Tony Gonzalez

The reason? A $7 million contract and a reduced training camp schedule.

The Atlanta Falcons tight end, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection and 10-time All-Pro, has apparently told people he’ll be back for one more season with the Falcons, according to Fox Sports.

“I was done, I thought I had my mind made up,” Gonzalez told Fox Sports. “This whole year I knew it would be my last but the way our final game ended and talking to the guys in the locker room, in the end it was too difficult of a way for me to step away from the game.”

Gonzalez was in tears at the end of last season as his team lost in the NFC Championship game to the San Francisco 49ers.

Only one week before that heartbreaking loss, Gonzalez was part of his first playoff victory in his 17-year career.

Gonzalez was intent last season on focusing on his family. But he says he’s hoping to achieve the one thing that has eluded him in his career so far.

“I am coming back for one reason and one reason only,” he told Fox Sports. “The chance to win a Super Bowl.”

Cruz Earns First Pro Bowl Nomination…

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He’s only been playing in the NFL for three years, but Victor Cruz has already reached a major career milestone…

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican New York Giants wide receiver has earned his first Pro Bowl nomination. Cruz will be joined by two of his teammates, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and guard Chris Snee.

Victor Cruz

“I’d like to thank all of you who voted for me for this years Pro Bowl. I’m honored to represent the New York Giants,” tweeted Cruz after learning he’d made the NFC reserve team.

Cruz, a second-team All-Pro selection in 2011 who held lead his team to victory at this year’s Super Bowl, holds the Giants franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season with 1,536.

But Cruz wasn’t the only Latino footballer to earn a Pro Bowl nomination…

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez was named to the NFC first team. It’s the 36-year-old part-Mexican American football star’s 13th Pro Bowl selection of his career.

Gonzalez is the Pro Bowl all-time leader in receptions (48) and touchdowns (6).

The 2013 Pro Bowl, the NFL’s all-star game for the 2012 season, will take place on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Giants Star Cruz Earns His First Super Bowl Ring…

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New York Giants’ star Victor Cruz has plenty of reason to salsa… He’s now the proud owner of a Super Bowl championship ring in only his second season in the National Football League.

Victor Cruz

The 25-year-old half-Puerto Rican wide receiver scored the first touchdown of the night during Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday to help lead the Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in a tightly-contested match.

New England almost forced a turnover and prevented a score during the Giants’ 10-play, 78-yard drive, but a Cruz fumble on third down in the red zone was undone by a 12 men on the field penalty, which gave the Giants a first and goal. They managed to convert with the scoring pass from Eli Manning, who was named this year’s Super Bowl MVP, to Cruz.

Following his touchdown—at the 3:24 mark in the first quarter—the All-Pro selection even celebrated by doing what he’s done all season long… dance salsa in the end zone… in front of more than 100 million people worldwide.

The New Jersey-born Cruz attended the University of Massachusetts and scored 11 touchdowns in his career and had just under 2,000 receiving yards.

Click here to watch an interview with Cruz reflecting on his improbable journey.

But Cruz wasn’t the only Latino to score a touchdown during the Super Bowl game…

Aaron Hernandez

In the third quarter, Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez caught a 12-yard pass from Tom Brady to put the Patriots up 17-9.

The 22-year-old Connecticut-born Hernandez—also a second year NFL player—attended the University of Florida where he, along with Tim Tebow, led the Gators to a 2009 BCS Championship. While at Florida, he was nicknamed “Chico” by his college teammates because he was the only Puerto Rican on the team, something he came to embrace.