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Tony Gonzalez Will Return for 2010 Season

Jan 20, 2010 – 10:30 PM
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Knox Bardeen

Knox Bardeen %BloggerTitle%

Tony GonzalezAtlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez confirmed in an interview on the Falcons' website Wednesday that he would return to play in the 2010 season.

Gonzalez, who will turn 34 next month, received advice from former NFL players telling him that, at this stage in his career, it's best to take things one year at a time, never rushing decisions.

"You don't ever want to make a decision right after the season is over," Gonzalez told J. Michael Moore on Falconcast. "Now that I've had a chance to get away from the game a little bit and talk to my family, I'm definitely going to be around for next year."

And next year is sure to be a huge season for Gonzalez. With his next catch, Gonzalez will become the seventh player -- and first tight end -- in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. As good as that accolade will make Gonzalez feel, a greater team accomplishment is what he really wants.

"I really do believe this could be the best football team I've ever played on, coming up next year," Gonzalez said. He said that he felt the younger players on defense were growing and that there was no reason the offense couldn't become a top-5 offense.

Gonzalez seemed enthusiastic about the upcoming 2010 season. "We can make a serious, serious run next season, if we take care of our business and stay healthy."

Now that Gonzalez has helped the Falcons record back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, he'll begin next season focused on one of the few remaining goals for his football career -- playing in a Super Bowl.
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