Eric Stonestreet, the "Modern Family" actor and noted Kansas City Chiefs fan, said his co-star Sofia Vergara previously dated former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez — a revelation that adds context to recent speculation linking Vergara to Tom Brady.
On the "Like a Farmer Podcast," host Pat Spinosa raised reports that Vergara "might be dating" Brady, referencing online accounts of a summer romance. Stonestreet responded that Vergara had told him she used to date "a Chief," and that the player in question was Gonzalez. "I had no idea. I didn't know who Sofia Vergara was when Tony Gonzalez was a Chief," Stonestreet said, recounting Vergara's comment that she "used to date Tony Gonzalez way back when."
Stonestreet's remarks, aired on the podcast and reported by the New York Post, sought to clarify which NFL player Vergara had dated before recent celebrity coupling rumors swirled. Page Six and other outlets published reports this summer that Vergara and Brady were seen together in Ibiza and aboard a superyacht launched by the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, events at which several A-list figures were present.
The actor, who has spoken publicly about his friendship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his admiration for Kelce's kindness toward his family, said his relationships with players did not change after Kelce began dating pop star Taylor Swift. "She's a great person," Stonestreet said of Swift. "I know Travis. Travis is a great guy. And the idea that great people attract great people, I can only assume they're each equally as great."
Tony Gonzalez enjoyed a 12-season run with the Kansas City Chiefs, setting franchise records for receptions (916), receiving yards (10,940) and receiving touchdowns (76). He retired from the NFL in 2013, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and joined FOX Sports as an analyst before the 2017 season.
Gonzalez later remarried and, with his wife October "Tobie" Gonzalez, is the parent of four children. He also co-parents a son, Nikko, with his former wife Lauren Sánchez. Media coverage noted Gonzalez and his wife attended Sánchez's June wedding to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Vergara and Brady did not publicly address the reports of their alleged summer liaison. Page Six published photographs and accounts placing them in Ibiza and aboard the Luminara, a Ritz-Carlton superyacht that set sail from Rome with guests who included celebrities such as Martha Stewart, Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson and Irina Shayk.
Stonestreet's comments add a retrospective note to the ongoing interest in Vergara's personal life, though they do not alter the public record about any recent relationships. Media outlets have continued to report on social sightings and shared events among high-profile figures, while the principals cited have largely remained silent on rumors.
The disclosure also intersects with continued public interest in intersections between entertainment and professional sports, where personal relationships among celebrities, athletes and media figures often become part of broader coverage. Gonzalez's NFL achievements and postplaying media career remain distinct from the personal matters discussed, and neither Gonzalez nor Vergara has issued a public statement confirming the details Stonestreet related on the podcast.