ATLANTA – A memorable weekend for NFL tight ends will begin Saturday with Tony Gonzalez reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the first first-ballot selection at the position and possibly end Sunday night with Rob Gronkowski starting the clock on his five-year post-retirement wait for enshrinement.
The first part is essentially a lock. Gonzalez was a six-time All-Pro who played 17 seasons and still ranks second among all players in receptions (1,325) behind Jerry Rice, first in receiving yards by a tight end (15,127) and second among tight ends in receiving touchdowns (111) behind Antonio Gates (116).