National Football League

Gonzalez now second on receptions list

Published Oct. 23, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Tony Gonzalez is now second on the NFL's career receptions list.

The Atlanta tight end caught five passes Sunday against the Detroit Lions, passing both Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison to take sole possession of second place.

He finished the game with 1,104 catches — two more than Harrison and three more than Carter.

''Those numbers mean I'm getting old, mostly,'' the 35-year-old Gonzalez said. ''They feel great, but I can't take the credit. That goes to all the guys I've played with and all the great quarterbacks and all the coaches.''

The Falcons beat Detroit 23-16.

Gonzalez broke a tie with Harrison with a 2-yard catch from Matt Ryan late in the first half. Jerry Rice is No. 1 at 1,549 receptions.

''Trust me, Jerry Rice will never be caught,'' Gonzalez said. ''I'm very happy with second place.''

The 6-foot-5, 247-pound Gonzalez played an important role in helping the Falcons take a 17-6 halftime lead. He drew back-to-back pass interference calls in the end zone in the first quarter, leading to Atlanta's first touchdown.

Gonzalez has 10 Pro Bowl bids and owns most of the meaningful league records for a tight end. He was the first to reach 1,000 catches and 12,000 yards receiving.

''He knows how to get open,'' Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy said. ''He's a big target. He catches anything thrown to him.''

Gonzalez played 12 seasons in Kansas City and is in his third with the Falcons. Gonzalez also moved past Irving Fryar for 13th place on the career list in yards receiving Sunday.

''There's a reason he's been playing this long,'' Levy said. ''He's a Hall of Fame guy.''

Gonzalez has 35 receptions this season, putting him on pace for the 12th 70-catch season of his career and ninth in a row.

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