NFL fans are in shock after learning Jeff Bezos’ fiancee used to date a Kansas City Chiefs legend.
The Amazon founder is currently engaged to Lauren Sanchez, an American journalist, author and philanthropist who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor who recently turned heads at at Donald Trump‘s inauguration.
However, little did fans know that Sanchez used to date Tony Gonzalez, a Chiefs icon and one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
The NFL star and Lauren reportedly separated in 2002, but share a son, Nikko.
The former couple are still close, having been spotted on numerous outings together, along with their new partners, in recent years.
Lauren has stayed closed with Tony and his new wife, October Gonzalez, and previously referred to him as one of her ‘best friends’ while speaking about their co-parenting style.
Just last summer, the quartet, including Bezos, vacationed together in Greece.
Bezos is the founder, executive chairman, and former president and CEO of Amazon, and one of the world’s richest men.
Bezos was previously linked to a purchase of the Boston Celtics — although that never materialized.
He is currently the second richest man in the world with a reported net worth of $251 billion.
Fans shared their shock at the connection between Bezos and Gonzalez on social media.
It also wasn’t lost on them that Gonzalez works for Amazon, Bezos’ brainchild, covering the NFL for Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football alongside Charissa Thompson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman.
“Wild,” posted one fan after finding out the connection.
“No way,” added another.
Another commented, “And now Tony works for Bezos on Thursday Night Football”.
“Wait, no wait, tell me it isn’t true”, a fourth added.
Sanchez made headlines recently when she was part of a much-hyped ‘all-female’ trip to space aboard a Blue Origin rocket.
The flight, which took place on April 14th, 2025, was part of the New Shepard program and marked the first time since 1963 that an all-female crew had rocketed into space, according to the BBC.
Sanchez was joined by Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn.
“Earth looked so quiet,” Sánchez said after the journey.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, spent his first 12 seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs, who selected him in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft. During his last five seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer finished his career with 14 Pro Bowl selections, the most for a tight end and second-most in league history, and is the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions by a TE, while ranking third in overall receptions.
Both Bezos and Sanchez attended Gonzalez’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony and sat next to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan.
However, Bezos was reportedly not the one to approach Gonzalez and offer him the co-host job on Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage.
“No, I wish it was that way,” Gonzalez said. “He has nothing to do with that.”
“Right from the beginning, I knew I wanted to do Thursday Night Football,” the 48-year-old said back in 2022 when he got Amazon gig.
“It was a chance to be part of something new. That’s the coolest part.”
“I’m so glad to be part of something from the beginning, from the ground floor,” he added.
“You knew that once Amazon puts its fingerprints on it, it’s gonna be great.”
Gonzalez’ status as the Chiefs all-time touchdown reception leader was ended earlier this season when fellow tight end Travis Kelce caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to stand alone at the top of the record books.
It was Kelce’s 77th TD, surpassing the mark Gonzalez had set in 2008.
Kelce celebrated the record by doing Gonzalez’s signature touchdown celebration of dunking the football over the crossbar.
While the dunk resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and likely a fine, it was well worth it for Kelce as Gonzalez said he’d take care of the charge.
“You know I had to show love to the greatest of all time!! you did mention you’d help me with the fine tho,” Kelce said in response to Gonzalez’s congratulatory tweet.
“lol! I got you!” Gonzalez tweeted back to Kelce.
Gonzalez never won a Super Bowl, and his former team Chiefs came agonizingly close to an unprecedented third straight world championship last season.
Kansas City were the reigning, back-to-back Super Bowl champions, having won the last two editions of the big game.
However, the came painfully short of history at the hands of Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles, who romped to a 40-22 blowout in Super Bowl LIX.
