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, “that they had Bo Jackson,” Gonzalez says of the well-known operating again. (The Rams, led by quarterback Jim Everett, have 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 Seashore Excessive Faculty and UC Berkeley and later enjoying 17 seasons within the NFL as a good finish for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
He might have retired from enjoying soccer, however Gonzalez is again on tv as an analyst for Prime Video’s “Thursday Evening Soccer,” a job that requires appreciable journey throughout the NFL soccer season.
In Sunday Funday, L.A. folks give us a play-by-play of their superb Sunday round city. Discover concepts and inspiration on the place to go, what to eat and tips on how to get pleasure from life on the weekends.
Through the offseason, nevertheless, Gonzalez cherishes his time at residence along with his household. Now that he, his spouse, October, and their three youngsters have returned to Los Angeles after dwelling in Texas, Gonzalez is comfortable 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 reside 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 Evening Soccer.” Till then, Gonzalez could 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 flippantly edited for readability.
7 a.m.: Meditate earlier than beginning the day
The very first thing I do once I get up is meditate. I pray, sit there, assume 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 Girl Jane whereas strolling the canines
Midmorning, I’ll take my two canines, Chica and Bronx, an ordinary black poodle and labradoodle, for a stroll. Throughout our stroll, I’ll cease at Candy Girl 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 Evening Soccer” and am all the time on a airplane. So Sunday is my sacred day. If I have to go someplace, I’m strolling; I’m strolling in all places. I’m not getting within the automotive.
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 purchasing. I just like the native farmers’ eggs, cheese and meats, and so they have the most effective yogurt I’ve ever tasted. I like going up and down the aisles and attempting 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 road, 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 delightful there; it’s such as you’re in a special nation. That’s California at its finest. You’ll be able to sit on a bench and look out over the water. Anytime folks are available from out of city, we’ll take them there and have a picnic. The ocean is without doubt one of the causes I wished to maneuver again to Los Angeles.
Midday: Afternoon exercise
Jogging to Palisades Park from the place I reside is an efficient 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 motorbike experience over to Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
After showering, I’ll bike to Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery. Their sandwiches are the most effective. 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 superb sandwich — the bread.
3 p.m.: Seize a craft beer at Father’s Workplace gastropub
Later within the afternoon, I would 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 out of doors space and terrific burgers. I would seize a beer after which head again to the home to loosen up.
7 p.m.: Take pleasure in an Italian meal at La Rental Portofino
On the finish of the day, I’ll have dinner at certainly one of my favourite eating places, La Rental 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 among 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 parking zone. So now you possibly can sit exterior should you want and end the day with a pleasant plate of pasta, a veal chop and a glass of wine.
10 p.m.: Learn a e book, compensate for TV and admire the day
After dinner, I’ll go residence and browse a e book or attempt to discover one thing to observe on Amazon Prime earlier than I am 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 wish to go do that proper now.