Tony G notched his 100th TD reception in last week's loss to the Saints. All the scribes agree he's a 1st ballot Hall of Famer, and it's just my turn to reflect on why that is such a safe bet.
We all pretty much know the history: 16 seasons in the league; 13,988 yards; 1,213 receptions; 101 TDs. Since coming to Atlanta in 2009 he has been an absolute stud and the most consistently reliable weapon in Matt Ryan's considerable offensive arsenal.
And he just seems to keep getting better and better. In this, his supposedly final season, he is on fire and is operating at the top of his game. How can that be? The man is 36 years old, way beyond middle age in NFL years!
As of last week's game Tony G is seriously on pace to meet or exceed his own personal best. He has had double digit scoring 3 other times in his career, the high being 11 TDs in 1999 for KC. He will score 10 or more this season. You heard it here first.
But by far the biggest impact that Tony has had on the Falcons has been in his leadership and role modeling for the younger players. First to arrive and last to leave the practice facility, Tony is operating at the level he is because of his gifts and because of the way he continues to sharpen and maintain his instrument. He leads by example:
This is why he is in his 16th season and is going stronger and stronger. I'm reminded of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cal Ripkin, Robert Parish, each of whom played for 21 seasons in the NBA and MLB. These great athletes were each known for meticulously caring for and strengthening their bodies. Their unprecedented longevity at the highest competitive levels was no accident.
Tony G is one of the great ones. You don't see NFL players going 21 seasons like you may see in the NBA or MLB. But if he wanted to I'd definitely be able to see Tony G go another 3, 4 or even 5 seasons.
Yup. Know all about Jermichael Finley, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and even Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. All are amazing physical specimens with their performance constantly re-writing the spec for the tight end position. BUT, if I'm starting a team from scratch, I'll take #88. That way I get a go-to guy on the field and a leader in the locker room.
There's no doubt that Tony is on the tip of the tongues of whomever officially decides who will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. It would be a travesty to the game if this man wasn't in those immortal halls. He's quite possibly the best tight end in the game. Great story.
ReplyDelete