NFL great Tony Gonzalez named El Viento ambassador
May 31, 2016
HUNTINGTON BEACH — Former NFL star and Huntington Beach native Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October Gonzalez, have joined El Viento Foundation as ambassadors.
The announcement was formally made April 24 during the fifth annual El Viento Friend-Raiser at Balboa Yacht Club.
“We are fortunate and thankful to have the support of Tony and October,” said Colleen Mensel, president and CEO of El Viento. “Now we’ll be able to do even more to prepare underserved children for college.”
El Viento, established in 1997, starts with 25 underserved fourth graders each year from the Oak View neighborhood in Huntington Beach and works with them all the way into college. Students receive educational support and engage in enrichment activities such as swimming and sailing. By participating in the program through high school, they earn a college scholarship.
Currently a studio analyst for The NFL Today on CBS, Gonzalez played football for Huntington Beach High School, the University of California Berkeley, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. Known as the most accomplished tight end in history, the 14-time Pro Bowl selection enjoyed a 17-year NFL career, setting NFL records for total yards and touchdown receptions at his position.
