Tony Gonzalez Makes 10,000th Handoff of Career

Jun 16, 2005, 1:46:08 PM

Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez has reached many milestones throughout the course of his eight NFL seasons. The six-time Pro Bowl performer began his onslaught on the Chiefs record book shortly after being selected13th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft out of California. However, one of his most important watermarks occurred this week as he distributed his 10,000 Shadow Buddy at Parkville’s Camp Systole.

Standing at the same site he distributed his very first Shadow Buddy eight years ago, Gonzalez was on hand with special “Heart Buddies” for those in attendance. Held in conjunction with Children’s Mercy Hospital, the event afforded the campers the opportunity to get a “buddy” who is just like them. Each of the buddies distributed on the day had an incision down the chest and a mended red heart. They also were dressed in Kansas City Chiefs shorts and a t-shirt with Tony’s name and #88 on the back.

The Tony Gonzalez Foundation is celebrating its upcoming nine-year partnership with the Shadow Buddies Foundation. Having delivered nearly half of the 10,000 Shadow Buddies personally to children and seniors throughout the world, the relationship has been an important one to Gonzalez.

“I’ve always said that you don’t have to be Tony Gonzalez to make a difference in your community,” the beaming 6-5, 251 pound Torrance native noted. “My relationship with Shadow Buddies means quite a lot to me. Anytime you can help brighten the day of a sick child or senior, it makes it very worth while.”

Gonzalez formed the Tony Gonzalez Foundation to not only support the Shadow Buddies program but the Boys and Girls Clubs as well. Shadow Buddies are smiling dolls given to individuals, especially sick children and elderly, in order to help speed their recovery. The dolls have been distributed in Missouri, Kansas, California, New York, Texas, Hawaii, Washington D.C. and internationally.

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