When NFL Corridor of Fame tight finish Tony Gonzalez was rising up in Torrance, he remembers spending Sundays watching the Los Angeles Raiders on tv. In spite of everything, “they’d Bo Jackson,” Gonzalez says of the well-known operating again. (The Rams, led by quarterback Jim Everett, had been an in depth second.)
Like Jackson, the 48-year-old grew as much as be a multisport athlete, enjoying basketball and soccer at Huntington Seaside Excessive Faculty and UC Berkeley and later enjoying 17 seasons within the NFL as a decent finish for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
He could have retired from enjoying soccer, however Gonzalez is again on tv as an analyst for Prime Video’s “Thursday Night time Soccer,” a job that requires appreciable journey in the course of the NFL soccer season.
In Sunday Funday, L.A. folks give us a play-by-play of their excellent Sunday round city. Discover concepts and inspiration on the place to go, what to eat and the right way to get pleasure from life on the weekends.
In the course of the offseason, nevertheless, Gonzalez cherishes his time at residence together with his household. Now that he, his spouse, October, and their three children have returned to Los Angeles after dwelling in Texas, Gonzalez is joyful to be again in L.A. (Gonzalez additionally has a son from a earlier relationship with Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezo’s fiancée.) “Once I left, I believed, ‘Why did I ever depart California?’” Gonzalez says. “I missed my household — my mom and my brother who stay right here. I additionally missed the ocean.”
When the NFL season kicks off on Sept. 5, Gonzalez must forfeit his Sundays — a day he describes as his “sacred day” — as a result of he’ll watch soccer all day to organize for his halftime and postgame evaluation for “Thursday Night time Soccer.” Till then, Gonzalez will be discovered cruising the tree-lined streets of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica on foot and bicycle as he enjoys a car-free day.
Accustomed to doing play-by-plays, Gonzalez gives the next commentary on his excellent Sunday in L.A. when he’s not on the street.
This interview has been condensed and frivolously edited for readability.
7 a.m.: Meditate earlier than beginning the day
The very first thing I do after I get up is meditate. I pray, sit there, suppose and shut my eyes. I don’t get off the bed; I take time to be alone and get my ideas proper. It’s a sacred second for me and lasts about 10 minutes.
9 a.m.: Seize a espresso at Candy Woman Jane whereas strolling the canines
Midmorning, I’ll take my two canines, Chica and Bronx, a typical black poodle and labradoodle, for a stroll. Throughout our stroll, I’ll cease at Candy Woman Jane off Montana Avenue in Santa Monica for espresso. Montana is the place I’ll focus my day. I’m used to touring for “Thursday Night time Soccer” and am at all times on a airplane. So Sunday is my sacred day. If I have to go someplace, I’m strolling; I’m strolling in every single place. I’m not getting within the automobile.
10 a.m.: Store native on the Santa Monica Farmers Market
After espresso and cake, my subsequent cease is the Santa Monica Farmers Market, the place I’ll do some buying. I just like the native farmers’ eggs, cheese and meats, they usually have the perfect yogurt I’ve ever tasted. I like going up and down the aisles and making an attempt new issues. It’s such a cool spot.
11 a.m.: Benefit from the ocean views at Palisades Park
If I don’t go residence, I’ll stroll over to Palisades Park, north of the Santa Monica Pier. I’ll choose a avenue, say Marguerita or Montana, and stroll till it ends. After sampling some issues on the Farmers Market, I’ll stroll over to the cliffs overlooking the water. It’s so peaceable and exquisite there; it’s such as you’re in a unique nation. That’s California at its finest. You may sit on a bench and look out over the water. Anytime folks are available in from out of city, we’ll take them there and have a picnic. The ocean is likely one of the causes I needed to maneuver again to Los Angeles.
Midday: Afternoon exercise
Jogging to Palisades Park from the place I stay is an effective exercise. It’s a couple of mile from my home. I like strolling to the ocean from my residence and seeing the water. So after I take within the ocean views, I’ll stroll or jog again to the home and take a bathe.
1 p.m.: Take a motorcycle trip over to Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
After showering, I’ll bike to Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery. Their sandwiches are the perfect. I often customise my sandwich and order turkey, roast beef, avocado, provolone, tomatoes, pickles, onions and mayonnaise. And the bread is excellent. That’s what makes a great sandwich — the bread.
3 p.m.: Seize a craft beer at Father’s Workplace gastropub
Later within the afternoon, I’d head to Father’s Workplace, Sang Yoon’s gastropub in Santa Monica, the place they’ve a fantastic beer choice. It’s a superb place to seize a beer on Montana Avenue, which is my favourite space. Father’s is small, however they’ve a pleasant outside space and terrific burgers. I’d seize a beer after which head again to the home to chill out.
7 p.m.: Get pleasure from an Italian meal at La Apartment Portofino
On the finish of the day, I’ll have dinner at one among my favourite eating places, La Apartment Portofino on Montana Avenue. It’s an unassuming Italian place close to eleventh Road and situated subsequent to a cleaners, which I like. They’ve a number of the finest Italian meals in L.A., and the employees is so good. After the COVID-19 pandemic, they expanded and created seating within the car parking zone. So now you’ll be able to sit exterior for those who want and end the day with a pleasant plate of pasta, a veal chop and a glass of wine.
10 p.m.: Learn a ebook, compensate for TV and respect the day
After dinner, I’ll go residence and browse a ebook or attempt to discover one thing to observe on Amazon Prime earlier than I’m going to mattress. That’s my excellent day. The billion-dollar stadiums across the NFL are all centered across the fan expertise. At residence, that is my final expertise. In reality, I need to go do that proper now.