The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that TE Tony Gonzalez has been named the club’s 2008 Derrick Thomas Award winner and CB Maurice Leggett earned the team’s Mack Lee Hill Award. Both honors are voted on by Chiefs players and will be officially presented at the 39th annual 101 Banquet on March 7th.

As a tribute to the late Derrick Thomas, the Chiefs annual Most Valuable Player Award was renamed in his honor following his death in February of 2000. The Mack Lee Hill Award is presented each year to the Chiefs rookie or first-year player who best exemplifies the spirit of the late Mack Lee Hill, who passed away during his second season with the Chiefs in ‘65.

Gonzalez (6-5, 251) earned his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl appearance in 2008. The 12-year NFL veteran is taking home the Derrick Thomas Award for the first time in his career. He led all NFL tight ends with 96 catches for 1,058 yards (11.0 avg.) and 10 TDs in 2008 and became the first tight end in NFL history to log four career 1,000-yard seasons. Gonzalez secured the NFL’s tight end triple crown in 2008, ranking first in NFL history among tight ends in receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940), and TD receptions (76). He also became just the fifth player and first tight end in league history to produce 11 consecutive seasons with 50 or more catches. WR Jerry Rice (11) is the only player in league history with more consecutive 60-catch seasons than Gonzalez (10). Gonzalez logged three 100-yard receiving games in 2008, bringing his career tally to 26 career 100-yard outings, the most by a tight end in NFL history.

Gonzalez has re-written the Chiefs record book, owning the franchise’s career receiving marks for catches, receiving yards and TDs. His 916 career receptions rank ninth in NFL history and are fourth among active players, while his 76 TDs trail only RB Priest Holmes (83) in Kansas City annals. He ranks second in franchise history with 10,963 combined net yards. In a streak that began at New England (12/4/00), Gonzalez has caught a pass in 131 consecutive games. The only tight end in NFL history to own a longer streak is Ozzie Newsome (150).

He has played in 190 career games (174 starts) in a Chiefs uniform, meaning only G Will Shields (223) has started more contests for the franchise and only three players – Shields (224), K Nick Lowery (212) and P Jerrel Wilson (203) – have played in more games for the Chiefs. The Huntington Beach, California native entered the league as the Chiefs first-round draft pick (13th overall) in the ‘97 NFL Draft. The California alum is one of only three tight ends to lead his franchise in career receptions and is the only tight end in NFL history to own 1,000 or more career receving yards against three diffrerent franchises – Denver (1,116), San Diego (1,353) and Oakland (1,473).

Leggett (5-11, 188) appeared in 12 games (three starts) for the Chiefs this season, finishing the 2008 campaign with 32 tackles (29 solo), an INT for a TD and four passes defensed. He also added five kickoff returns for 103 yards (20.6 avg.) and five special teams stops. Leggett is the first defensive back to win the Mack Lee Hill Award since S Greg Wesley in 2000.

Establishing himself as a defensive and special teams playmaker in just his first pro season, Leggett notched a pair of return TDs in 2008. He received AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors at Oakland (11/30) after he scooped up a fumble on a fake field goal attempt and raced for a 67-yard TD. The second-quarter play gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead and proved to be a pivotal part of a 20-13 victory against the Raiders. Just one week later, Leggett found the end zone again by intercepting a QB Jay Cutler pass and returning it for a 27-yard TD at Denver (12/7).

Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Leggett joined the Chiefs as a rookie free agent in 2008. A three-year starter at NCAA Division II Valdosta State, he played in 45 games and won a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships. Leggett compiled 136 tackles (92 solo), 2.0 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, 23 passes defensed, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and blocked five kicks. He earned first-team All-Gulf South honors as a senior in 2007. Leggett prepped at Mt. Zion High School in Jonesboro, Georgia.

The 39th Annual 101 Banquet will be held on March 7, 2009, in Kansas City. The Chiefs will honor their Derrick Thomas MVP Award winner and Mack Lee Hill Rookie of the Year. The 101 AFC/NFC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and 101 AFC/NFC Coaches of the Year will be honored during the banquet, as well. Tickets and sponsorships to the 101 Banquet are available by calling Premier Sports Management at (913) 681-6990.