Jason Witten

Christopher Jason Witten had a successful 15-year career in the National Football League before transitioning into a TV analyst role following his retirement. The youngest of three brothers, Witten was raised in Washington, D.C., but moved to Elizabethton, Tenn., at age 11 to live with his grandparents. He attended Elizabethton High School, where we played for the football team under head coach Dave Rider, who was his grandfather. He was a three-year starter, playing both linebacker and tight end, and helped the team reach the state semifinals three times. During his senior year, Witten was named All-American, All-State and USA Today Player of the Year for Tennessee, among other accolades. He received a scholarship to continue his playing career at the University of Tennessee, where he began as a second-string defensive end. When injuries impacted the team's depth at tight end, Witten moved to the offensive side of the ball midway through his freshman year. The position change led Witten to consider transferring, but he remained at the school despite recording just one reception his first year. He started three games as a sophomore and caught 28 passes, including his first collegiate touchdown. He had a breakout year as a junior, setting school records in receptions and receiving yards at the position. His five touchdowns that season included a game-winner in a six-overtime thriller against the University of Arkansas. That year, he earned All-SEC and Academic All-SEC honors before leaving school a year early to enter the 2003 NFL draft. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round, No. 69 overall, and that season he would begin a long partnership with another rookie, quarterback Tony Romo, whom the Cowboys signed as an undrafted free agent. Witten played in 15 games during his rookie year, starting seven, and totaled 35 receptions for 347 yards and a touchdown. Those stats were good enough to make the NFL All-Rookie Team. He would continue to excel on the field on his way to becoming one of the best offensive tight ends in league history. Witten ended his career with 1,152 receptions, 12,488 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns, and he received 11 Pro Bowl selections, including in 2017, his final season. On May 3, 2018, Witten announced his retirement from the NFL and confirmed rumors that he had agreed to join ESPN's "Monday Night Football" (ABC/ESPN, 1970-) broadcast booth as an analyst. At the time of his retirement, Witten held the record for consecutive games played by a tight end with 243, including playoffs, missing only a single game in his rookie year. Witten continued to live in the Dallas area with wife Michelle and their four children following his playing career.