Gonzalez Chief no more, as he’s dealt to Atlanta

Tony Gonzalez, the Huntington Beach High grad who has been the most prolific tight end in National Football League history, was recently traded to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Kansas City Chiefs, with whom Gonzalez had spent his entire 12-year career, dealt him April 23 to Atlanta for a second-round draft pick in 2010.

Gonzalez owns the NFL tight end career records for receptions (916), yards (10,940) and touchdown catches (76), and all three marks are also Chiefs records. The 10-time Pro Bowler had reportedly asked to be traded last fall, with the Chiefs in the midst of a 2-14 season.

The Chiefs have not won a playoff game since the Joe Montana-led team made it to the AFC championship game in 1993. At that time, Gonzalez was a senior at Huntington Beach, before playing collegiately at Cal.

Gonzalez, 33, had one of the best seasons of his career in 2008 with 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns. With Atlanta, he is expected to be part of an explosive offense that will include Matt Ryan, the 2008 league Offensive Rookie of the Year, at quarterback.

Other key pieces for the Falcons, who went 11-5 last season, include running back Michael Turner and receiver Roddy White.

“It’s somewhat bittersweet,” Gonzalez told FoxSports.com. “I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love. But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years.”

— Matt Szabo