Initially retiring in 2018, Witten became a color analyst forESPN'sMonday Night Football. After working as an ESPN color analyst for the 2018 season, he returned to the NFL for the 2019 season, reuniting with the Cowboys. Witten then joined theLas Vegas Raiders for the 2020 season. He afterward retired again but signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Cowboys.
Witten has one cousin, Triston Witten, and two older brothers, Ryan and Shawn. All were raised in Washington, D.C., but attendedElizabethton High School inElizabethton, Tennessee.[4] Witten's father, Ed, a 6-foot-8-inch (2.03 m), 300 pounds (140 kg) mailman, became addicted to alcohol and drugs when Witten was six and became abusive toward Witten's mother, Kim, and Witten's older brothers.[5] When Witten was 11, he moved to Elizabethton to live with his grandparents.[6] His grandfather, Dave Rider, was the coach of thefootball team where Witten was a two-way player, playinglinebacker and tight end.[7]
Witten became a three-year starter playing bothlinebacker andtight end, while helping his team reach the state semi-finals three times. As a senior linebacker, Witten finished the season with 163 tackles (registering a career school record 450), nine sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. That year, he received several accolades:All-American, All-State (also as a junior), USA Today Player of the Year for Tennessee, East Tennessee Player of the Year, Region Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for the Mr. Football award.[8] Witten had 26 receptions and 14 touchdowns on offense. He also playedbasketball, averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds per game.[9]
After injuries impacted the depth at the tight end position, he was moved to the offensive side midway through the season. Although Witten did not agree with the change and even considered transferring, he eventually came around and was used primarily as a blocker while he learned the position. Witten also started in his first two games.[11] As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games and recorded one reception on the season, which went for 11 yards in a 70–3 blowout victory overLouisiana–Monroe.[12][13]
Witten appeared in all 13 games as a sophomore, catching 28 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns.[14] He scored his first collegiate touchdown in a 35–24 victory overAlabama in theirannual rivalry game.[15] Witten had 125 receiving yards and a touchdown in Tennessee'sCitrus Bowl victory overMichigan.[16] His performance in the 45–17 victory marked the third most receiving yards in a bowl game in Tennessee history.[17]
As a junior, Witten had a breakout year, setting school records for a tight end in receptions (39) and receiving yards (493) with five touchdowns, including one of the most memorable receptions in school history, a game-winning touchdown in the sixth overtime againstArkansas.[18][19] He receivedAll-SEC (SEC) and AcademicAll-SEC honors after leading the conference's tight ends in receptions and receiving yards.[20] Witten was also a semifinalist for the John Mackey Tight End Award.[21]
Even though Witten decided to enter theNFL draft after his junior season and had played the position in only 20 games, he left ranked third all-time among the school's tight ends with 68 career receptions and fourth all-time with 797 receiving yards.[22][23]
Following the 2017 college football season, Witten's name was placed on a college football award. The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award honors a player who shows strong leadership qualities on and off the field.[24]
Witten was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the third round with the 69th overall pick in the2003 NFL draft. He was the fifth tight end selected that year.[26] Although the Cowboys had a first-round grade on Witten, when their turn came in the first and second rounds, they selectedcornerbackTerrence Newman andAl Johnson based on team needs.[27]Undrafted free agentTony Romo was another rookie who also arrived in Dallas in 2003 and would go on to become Witten's teammate throughout their careers, as well as his roommate during future team training camps and travel games.
Entering the league as a 20-year-old rookie, one of the youngest players in the NFL, Witten started seven of the 15 games he played in.[28] On September 7, he made his NFL debut in a 27–13 loss to theAtlanta Falcons, recording one reception for 13 yards.[29] During Week 5, Witten suffered a fractured jaw against theArizona Cardinals, after being hit byRonald McKinnon and Ray Thompson, which required surgery to have three plates inserted to help the healing.[30] Witten only missed one game and continued to play through the injury. Head coachBill Parcells complimented Witten on his toughness.[31] Witten was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team for the 2003 season.[32]
Witten finished his rookie year with 35 receptions for 347 yards and a touchdown.[33] He made his playoff debut in theWild Card Round against theCarolina Panthers, recording four receptions for 30 yards during the 29–10 loss.[34]
Witten had a breakout season in 2004, finishing with 87 receptions for 980 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. His 87 receptions led theNFC and were the 11th most in NFL history by a tight end and a Cowboys team record for the position.[35][36] During Week 7 against theGreen Bay Packers, Witten had eight receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown in the 41–20 loss.[37] On November 15 against thePhiladelphia Eagles, he had nine receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10.[38] Witten was selected to his firstPro Bowl.[39]
Witten finished sixth in the NFL among tight ends in total receptions and became the first Cowboys tight end to have at least 65 receptions in consecutive seasons.[40] He had 66 receptions for 757 yards and six touchdowns for the 9–7 Cowboys in 2005.[41] As a result of his successful season, Witten was named to his second Pro Bowl.[42]
At the end of the 2006 season, Witten became just the tenth tight end in NFL history to post three consecutive seasons with at least 60 receptions.[43] He registered 64 receptions for 754 yards and a touchdown while being named to his third Pro Bowl in as many seasons.[44][45]
On July 22, Witten signed a six-year, $29 million contract extension through 2012. The deal contained $12 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus and a $6 million option bonus in the second year.[46]
Witten had a career year in 2007, breaking his own single-season Cowboys tight end record for receptions with 96 and becoming the first franchise tight end to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He became the third tight end in NFL history with 96 or more catches.[47] He started the season off strong with six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 45–35 victory over theNew York Giants in Week 1.[48] During Week 9 on the road against thePhiladelphia Eagles, he made a 53-yard reception after losing his helmet.[49][50] During Week 14 against theDetroit Lions, Witten's 15 receptions tied an NFL record held by Hall of FamerKellen Winslow Sr., for most receptions in a game by a tight end in NFL history.[51] In the next game against the Eagles in Week 15, Witten became the first Dallas tight end ever to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Witten was also one of the NFL-record 13 Cowboys players selected to the Pro Bowl.[52] He was named as a First-team All-Pro for the 2007 season.[53] Witten was nominated for the 2007Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which was won byJason Taylor.[54]
The Cowboys made the playoffs with a 13–3 record, winning the NFC East and earning the top seed in the NFC.[55] In theDivisional Round against the New York Giants, he had seven receptions for 81 yards during the 21–17 loss.[56]
During Week 2, Witten recorded seven receptions for 110 yards in the 41–37 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles.[57] Witten made his 400th NFL reception in the Cowboys'Thanksgiving Day game against theSeattle Seahawks in Week 13 as part of a nine-reception, 115-yard, one-touchdown performance.[58][59] In the regular-season finale against the Eagles, he completed a 42-yard pass toTerrell Owens for the first pass of his NFL career.[60]
Witten posted 81 receptions for 952 yards and four touchdowns.[61] He was named a starter for the2008 Pro Bowl.[62][63]
Witten recorded his first 100-yard game of the 2009 season in Week 12 against theOakland Raiders. During the 24–7 victory, he had five receptions for 107 yards.[64] In the next game against theNew York Giants, he had 14 receptions for 156 yards during the 31–24 loss.[65] In Week 16 against theWashington Redskins, he had six receptions for 117 yards in the 17–0 victory.[66] Witten recorded another Pro Bowl season, making 94 receptions for 1,030 yards and two touchdowns while starting all 16 games.[67][68] He was given the NFL Iron Man Award.[69]
The Cowboys finished with a 11–5 record and made the playoffs.[70] In theWild Card Round against thePhiladelphia Eagles, he recorded four receptions for 27 yards during the 34–14 victory.[71] During theDivisional Round against theMinnesota Vikings, Witten had 10 receptions for 98 receiving yards in the 34–3 loss.[72]
Witten banged his head on the turf after making a catch in a Week 2 loss against theChicago Bears. He was forced to miss the rest of the game with a concussion.[73]
During Week 15 against theWashington Redskins, Witten became the fastest tight end to make 600 receptions (125 games).[74] He accomplished this with a 10-catch, 140-yard, one-touchdown day at home.[75] Witten received his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl selection when he was named as the starting tight end for the NFC.[76]
At the end of the season, Witten was named tight end of the Year by theNFL Alumni Association.[77] Overall, Witten finished the 2010 season with 94 receptions for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns.[78] He was named as a First-team All-Pro for the second time in his career.[79] Witten was ranked No. 36 by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[80]
Witten started the 2011 season with consecutive 100-yard receiving games in a loss to theNew York Jets and an overtime victory overSan Francisco 49ers.[81][82] During Week 10 against theBuffalo Bills, Witten surpassedOzzie Newsome to become the tight end with the third most receptions in NFL history with 663.[83]
Witten finished the season with 79 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns playing in 16 games and starts.[84] He was ranked 75th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[85]
On August 13, 2012, Witten suffered a lacerated spleen in the preseason opener against theOakland Raiders and missed the rest of the preseason.[86] There was talk that the seriousness of the injury could keep him out of action for a considerable time.[87]
On September 5, Witten battled back and was able to play in the season opener, catching two passes for 10 yards in a 24–17 victory over theNew York Giants.[88] His availability for the game was in question due to the spleen injury he suffered during the preseason, but Witten was active for the game after being medically cleared to play.[89]
During Week 2 against theSeattle Seahawks, Witten caught four passes for 58 yards.[90] He finished the game with 702 career receptions to become just the second player in franchise history to reach 700 catches and the third tight end in NFL history to do so. Witten became the fastest tight end to reach 700 catches, reaching the milestone in 145 games.[91] Witten became the youngestwide receiver/tight end to reach 700 catches at 30 years and 133 days. This record was later broken in Week 3 by Cardinals' wide receiverLarry Fitzgerald who totaled 707 career catches with 29 years, 23 days. Witten's 58-yard performance gave him 7,977 receiving yards for his career passing former CowboyJackie Smith for fourth all-time in receiving yards among tight ends.[citation needed]
After Week 3, Witten passedOzzie Newsome for third place all-time in receiving yards among tight ends.[92] During a Week 8 29–24 loss to the Giants, Witten caught a career-high 18 passes for a career-high 167 yards. This is also a record for receptions by a tight end; the previous record of 15 receptions was set byKellen Winslow in1984.[93][94] In the next game against theAtlanta Falcons, Witten set the Cowboys' all-time receptions record of 754, surpassingMichael Irvin's previous record of 750.[95]
During Week 16 against theNew Orleans Saints, Witten set the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end (103), breaking the previous record of 102 receptions, which had been set byTony Gonzalez in 2004.[96] Witten extended the record to 110 in the season finale.
On December 26, Witten was selected to his eighth Pro Bowl.[97] For the second time in his career, Witten was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, this time winning the award and the $25,000 donation to his charity.[98] Overall, he finished the 2012 season with 110 receptions for 1,039 yards and three touchdowns.[99] His 110 receptions were the second-most in franchise history behindMichael Irvin (111 in 1995) and ranked fifth in the NFL for the season.[100] Witten was ranked 41st among his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[101]
During the season opener against theNew York Giants, Witten had two receiving touchdowns in the 36–31 victory.[102] In the next game against theKansas City Chiefs, Witten surpassedShannon Sharpe with the second most receptions as a tight end in NFL history.[103] His three catches during the game brought his career total to 817.[104]
During Week 5 against theDenver Broncos, Witten had seven receptions for 121 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 51–48 loss.[105] During Week 12 in the second divisional game against the Giants, he added two more receiving touchdowns in the 24–21 victory.[106] In the season finale against thePhiladelphia Eagles, he had 12 receptions for 135 yards during the narrow 24–22 loss.[107] Witten finished the 2013 season with 73 receptions for 851 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games and starts.[108] He was named to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his career.[109] Witten was ranked 98th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014.[110]
During Week 7, Witten had 27 receiving yards against theNew York Giants to move his career receiving yards to 10,065 to pass Shannon Sharpe (10,060) for the second-most receiving yards by an NFL tight end.[115] During Week 16, Witten sprained his knee against theIndianapolis Colts but was still able to play in the season finale against theWashington Redskins.[116][117]
That season, the Cowboys emphasized the running game and although his receiving production declined, his blocking was noticed while helpingDeMarco Murray lead the NFL in rushing.[118][119] Witten finished with 60 receptions for 654 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games and starts.[120] He was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl for his 2014 season.[121] Witten was ranked 93rd by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2015.[122]
During the season opener against theNew York Giants, Witten had eight receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead touchdown with only 13 seconds remaining, in the narrow 27–26 victory.[123] In the next game against thePhiladelphia Eagles, Witten suffered a right knee injury and two sprained ankles but was able to only miss a play and a half.[124] On November 22 against theMiami Dolphins, he became the franchise's iron man, playing his 196th consecutive game and surpassingBob Lilly.[125] Two weeks later, in aMonday Night Football game against theWashington Redskins, Witten became the 12th player and secondtight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. The only other tight end with 1,000 or more catches is Tony Gonzalez.[126] During Week 16 against theBuffalo Bills, he set the Cowboys record with his 118th consecutive game with a reception, passingMichael Irvin.[127]
During the 2015 season, Witten was asked to be more involved in the blocking than usual, because of the team playing with four different startingquarterbacks with varying degrees of knowledge of the offense.[128] He started all 16 games and led the Cowboys with 77 receptions for 713 yards and three touchdowns.[129]
Against thePhiladelphia Eagles in Week 8, Witten caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime, making him the first player in franchise history to score in 14 seasons.[130] In the next game against theCleveland Browns, Witten had eight receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in the 35–10 victory.[131] He finished the season 16 receiving yards shy of Michael Irvin's all-time franchise record.[132] Overall, Witten started all 16 games and finished the regular season with 69 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns.[133] He caught his first career post-season touchdown fromDak Prescott in the 34–31Divisional Round loss to theGreen Bay Packers.[134][135]
On March 28, 2017, Witten signed a four-year contract extension with the Cowboys through the 2021 season.[136]
During the season-opening 19–3 victory over theNew York Giants onSunday Night Football, Witten recorded the Cowboys' lone touchdown.[137] He also passed Michael Irvin for most career receiving yards in franchise history and also became the third player in NFL history to have at least 150 catches against one team, joiningJerry Rice andLarry Fitzgerald.[138][139] In the next game against theDenver Broncos, Witten had 10 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown during the 42–17 road loss.[140] He started all 16 games and finished the season with 63 receptions for 560 yards and five touchdowns,[141] on his way to his 11th Pro Bowl, which tied a Cowboys record withBob Lilly.[142][143]
Witten (right) during his initial retirement in 2018
On April 26, 2018, reports surfaced that Witten was going to retire and accept a position as the lead analyst forESPN'sMonday Night Football telecasts. A week later, Witten officially announced his retirement and confirmed he would be joiningMonday Night Football for the 2018 season.[144]
On February 28, 2019, ESPN announced that Witten would return to the Cowboys on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, and leave hisMonday Night Football position at the company.[145]
In his return to the gridiron, Witten had three receptions for 15 yards and a receiving touchdown during the season-opening 35–17 victory over theNew York Giants.[146]
Witten finished the 2019 season with 63 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games and starts.[147]
During Week 4 against theBuffalo Bills, Witten had his first touchdown as a Raider on a three-yard reception from quarterbackDerek Carr.[149] He was finedUS$15,000 by the NFL on October 5, 2020, for attending a maskless charity event hosted by teammateDarren Waller during theCOVID-19 pandemic in violation of the NFL'sCOVID-19 protocols for the 2020 season.[150]
Witten finished the 2020 season with 13 receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and seven starts.[151]
On January 27, 2021, Witten once again announced his retirement from the NFL and stated his intention to sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Cowboys.[152]
On February 1, 2021, Witten was named the head football coach atLiberty Christian School.[162] In 2023 he would lead the school to the state football championship (its fourth and its first unbeaten season in school history), the first title (at any level) in his career. In 2024, the Warriors won a second straight state title.[163][164]
Witten wrote an opinion piece for ESPN, titled "How Twitter has become NFL locker room poison" in which he detailed the potential negative impact social media can have, particularly on younger players, from his personal experiences.[168]
In 2021 and just days after his second retirement from the NFL, Witten spurned the overtures of several NFL and college teams to coach and was named the head football coach atLiberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.[169]
