Chiefs’ Gonzalez is celebrity Grand Marshall

The City of Huntington Beach has named Huntington Beach native Tony

Gonzalez, an All-Pro tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the

Celebrity Sports Grand Marshall for the ninth annual Huntington Beach

Fourth of July Parade.

In the off-season, Gonzalez resides in Huntington Beach.

“Tony and his family have long ties with the City of Huntington Beach,

and it’s wonderful that they are involved in our upcoming 4th of July

celebration,” said Patricia Stier, Chair of the Fourth of July Executive

Board. “Tony’s grandmother (83-year-old Helen Smith) celebrates her

birthday on July 4th, and she has celebrated with the City of Huntington

Beach for many years.

His star continued to rise last year - his third season in the NFL, as

Gonzalez had 76 catches, 849 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns.

That performance led to Gonzalez’s being named tight end on the Sporting

News NFL All-Pro Team, and a spot in the Pro Bowl, which was played last

January in Hawaii.

Gonzalez, the first Chiefs tight end to be selected to play in the game,

caught a touchdown pass.

Although Gonzalez is best known for his play on the football field, he

also is a skilled basketball player. He earned All-CIF status in both

sports while at Huntington Beach High, then played both sports at the

University of California (Berkeley). During his final year at Cal, he

helped lead the Golden Bears into the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA

Tournament.

In football, Gonzalez played 33 games in three seasons and became just

the second tight end in Cal history to earn first team All-American

status.

At the start of his NFL career, Gonzalez, who attended Iosjiro Oka School

and Sowers Middle School - both in Huntington Beach, started the Tony

Gonzalez Foundation, which raises money for his “Shadow Buddies”

organization, and also works with the Boys and Girls Club.