Ducks Digest

Former Oregon Duck Christian Gonzalez Surprises Family With New Home: Emotional Video

Former Oregon Ducks cornerback and current New England Patriot Christian Gonzalez surprises his family a with a house before entering his second season with New England.
Ally Osborne|
Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) speaks to the media during press availability at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) speaks to the media during press availability at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports | Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to sports, the family behind the athlete sometimes works just as hard. Every practice, at-home drills and workouts, tape studying, equipment buying, and simply raising a child to be prepared for the highs and lows of their chosen craft is no easy task. Like many parents, self-sacrifice is at the center of raising an athlete.

Former Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez honored all the work his family put into his career over the weekend when he revealed he bought a house for his mom and dad.

“This is what I wanted to do my whole life,” Gonzalez said to his family as he pointed at the front door.

“Very thankful, and very surprised,” said Temple Gonzalez, Christian’s mom.

Temple is a middle school teacher specializing in multi-language learning. Christian’s father, Hector Gonzalez, played basketball for UTEP in college before pursuing a career in semi-professional basketball in Colombia.

“Mom and Dad, I told you guys when I started this football journey at 5 years old I was going to put you in a place you couldn’t imagine,” Gonzalez said in the caption of his reel, “You guys deserve this and even more. I love y’all! Welcome Home!”

The home is gorgeous, with high ceilings, multiple floors, and a spacious pool.

Former Oregon Duck teammates of Gonzalez shared their support on the post, with Traeshon Holden, Jabbar Muhammad, Jeffery Bassa, Chase Cota, and Keyon Ware-Hudson all showing love.

According to Over The Cap, a database for NFL salaries, Gonzalez is guaranteed a $15,102,868 salary from his contract with the Patriots. That makes him the 39th highest paid corner in the league.

Gonzalez looks to bounce back in his second NFL season after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in week 4 vs. the Dallas Cowboys. The Patriots selected Gonzalez No. 17 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and he is a projected starter this season.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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