Tony Gonzalez Turned Out OK (For Someone Who Rode The Bench) 

With four catches on Sunday in Detroit, Tony Gonzalez will move into second place on the all-time NFL list for career receptions. 

He'll be second only to the legendary Jerry Rice. 

Not bad for someone who described himself as once being "never really that good at football."

In fact, Tony Gonzalez once rode the bench.  For two years! 

Now, this isn't one of those stories similar to Michael Jordan being cut by his high school basketball team before using that as motivation to conquer every foe and obstacle ever placed in front of him from that point on.

Actually, Gonzalez says he felt like he "was never destined for this when I first started out in it."

"It didn't come natural to me," said Gonzalez.  "I was never that natural football player when I was a little kid growing up.  It didn't click for me until I got to high school."

From there, he attended Cal, where he played both football and basketball.  After that, all he's done is catch 1,099 passes in the NFL.  He's three away from tying Marvin Harrison for second on the all-time list.  Only Jerry Rice's 1,549 receptions rank higher; and that means as much to Gonzalez as anything.

"I grew up in Los Angeles and the 49ers were the big deal back then, winning all those Super Bowls, " said Gonzalez.  "Then being in the (California) Bay Area too, watching (Rice) play when I was at Cal and then playing against him when I was in Kansas City, when he went to the Raiders.  I don't expect to ever surpass (Rice's record), but just to be mentioned in the same breath, being able to accomplish something right up there, like he did ... and then all the other guys that are in that same group, like Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter (third all-time with 1,101 catches), Art Monk, among others ... it's a pretty cool feeling."

Gonzalez's first NFL catch came on Aug. 31, 1997, in Denver, as a Kansas City Chief.  It was a 22-yard reception. 

Fourteen years later, in his 15th pro season, Gonzalez reflects on how he got to this point. 

He credits his older brother Chris, who made him play catch when Gonzalez was a  Pop Warner running back and safety who received no playing time.  That same kid who was such an unnatural would go on to break every receiving record for tight ends in the 92-year history of the league.  

Of course, Gonzalez spent the first 12 years of his career in Kansas City, but his last 183 catches have come with him wearing a Falcons uniform.  Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown many of those passes that have hit the future Hall of Famer's hands.

"It's a testament to how good of a player he is, how hard he has worked for a long time and how talented he is," said Ryan when asked about Gonzalez soon moving into second place on the career receptions list. 

"It's just fun to be a part of those types of things as a player.  Especially for such a good person off the field, too."  Ryan added, "He's been incredible for my career.  He's taught me a lot both on the field and off the field, and I'm certainly glad we got him a couple of years ago."

Now a 15-year veteran, consider the fact that Gonzalez began playing in the NFL when Kobe Bryant had just completed his rookie season in the NBA.  Derek Jeter had only one ring.  The Dallas Cowboys were defending Super Bowl champions.  And we hadn't yet heard of some White House intern named Monica Lewinsky.  

"It's amazing," said Gonzalez.  "I never thought I would be in this position.  When I first came into the league, I (thought) if I could play 10, 11 years ... somewhere around there, I'd be happy with  that.  But now, playing in my 15th year, and being able to accomplish what I've done, it's humbling.  To be right under Jerry Rice, it seemed so untouchable when you're at that young age ... and to be able to get near him, it's just incredible."

Incredible.

That just happens to be a perfect way to define the great career of someone who never saw it coming.