ATLANTA — Tony Gonzalez did something yesterday he’d never done in his 16-year career in the NFL: He cried after a win. Cried “like a little baby,” he said.
The tears began the instant Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Falcons an exhilarating 30-28 triumph over the Seahawks after Atlanta had blown a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and seemed headed for another crushing playoff defeat.
By know you’ve all seen how rookie Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson heroically rallied his team with his arm and his feet to score three unanswered touchdowns to take a 28-27 lead with 31 seconds remaining at the Georgia Dome.
It was then Gonzalez saw his career flash before his eyes. Having gone winless in five previous playoff games with the Chiefs and Falcons, the future Hall of Famer became resigned victory had eluded him yet again.
At age 36, Gonzalez said he’s “95 percent” sure he’s retiring at the end of this season, though nothing is official. When the Seahawks took the lead, it looked as if his career would end without a postseason victory.
“I’ve cried after a loss,” Gonzalez said afterward, “but I’ve never cried after a win. I thought it was over. I’ve been there [before] … 16 years and six playoff games, it was like, ‘Here we go again, especially with that big lead. I guess it’s just not meant to be.’ ”
But it wasn’t over for the Falcons or Gonzalez, who made one of two critical catches that positioned Bryant for his game-winner. Quarterback Matt Ryan, trying to exorcise his own playoff demons, had 25 seconds and two timeouts to work with when the Falcons took possession at their own 28. Ryan first hit wide receiver Harry Douglas on a sideline pattern for 22 yards.
On the next play, Ryan’s pre-snap read showed a linebacker would be covering Gonzalez. Mismatch.
“Once I saw the matchup, I thought I think it’s coming to me,” Gonzalez said. It did. The tight end that made 1,263 previous catches in his career made the biggest of his life when he snared a 19-yarder over the middle at the Seahawks 31. Though 13 seconds remained, Falcons coach Mike Smith called timeout and sent Bryant in to win the game.
“Tony is just Mr. Reliable,” said Ryan, who won his first playoff game after an 0-3 start. “He’s so consistent and he did a great job with the route.”
Gonzalez caught 6 passes for 51 yards, including a 1-yard pass from Ryan for the Falcons’ first touchdown.
“He did what he’s done his entire career,” Smith said. “He went out and played the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”
The tears of joy were the result of the emotional ride over 16 years and four improbable quarters yesterday. If the 13-time Pro Bowl tight end had lost, he would have been the class act he has been since he was selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the 1997 draft. He was 0-3 in the playoffs there, and 0-2 with the Falcons since arriving in a 2009 trade. It looked as if he might be 0-6 yesterday.
“You tell yourself I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” he said. “You look at the spiritual side of things and try to have acceptance. But I tell you what, it’s better to get that playoff monkey off my back.”
There has been plenty of attention on Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and his impending retirement. And though Gonzalez isn’t ready to announce this is the end, his story could be just as motivating.
“I’m happy for Ray,” Gonzalez said. “The way he won and the way we won, what an emotional ride for both of us. It would be fun at the Super Bowl. But we’ve got to get back and get focused and get ready for the 49ers.”
No more time for tears.