VIDEO: Tony Gonzalez Won't Call Rob Gronkowski the GOAT and Claims They're Actually Tied

Tony Gonzalez and Rob Gronkowski are two of the best tight ends to ever play football. Perhaps they're definitively the two greatest. However, Gonzalez does not want to give up the title of the GOAT-- as he told TMZ, he claimed that he and Gronk are tied for No. 1.

When looking at the career numbers, it's hard to compare the two. We have to remember that Gonzalez played 17 seasons, while Gronk only played nine. But in terms of singular impact on a game-for-game basis -- as well as Gronk's three Super Bowl rings to Tony's zero -- the Patriots icon has a compelling case in his own right.

Gronkowski has 7,861 receiving yards in his career, which is barely half of Gonzalez's 15,127. Gronk also logged 79 career touchdowns compared to Gonzalez's 111. If he was able to play for as long as Gonzalez did, it's a sure bet that Gronk would surpass his production, but he won't have that chance. As an injury-prone athlete, it's worth noting that he would have stood little chance of being a superstar into his late 30s anyway.

And that's part of what makes this debate so intriguing.

Tony Gonzalez is the only tight end who has an argument for GOAT tight end status with Gronk because he had what Gronk didn't, longevity. But on a touchdowns per game basis and of course ringzzz Gronk lapped the field. He's the best I ever saw.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) March 24, 2019

In taking all of this into account, Gonzalez might want to rethink his answer before he claims he and Gronk are both the co-GOAT. But for now, he's sticking to his story.