Jason Witten facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jason Witten

Witten with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017
No. 82
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1982-05-06) May 6, 1982 (age 43) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	263 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:	Elizabethton (Elizabethton, Tennessee)
College:	Tennessee (2000–2002)
NFL Draft:	2003 / Round: 3 / Pick: 69
Career history
As player:
Dallas Cowboys (2003, 2019) Las Vegas Raiders (2020)
As coach:
Liberty Christian (TX) (2021–present) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
2× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010) 2× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2012) 11× Pro Bowl (2004–2010, 2012–2014, 2017) Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2012) Bart Starr Award (2013) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2003) First-team All-SEC (2002) Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2019)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 1,228 Receiving yards: 13,046 Receiving touchdowns: 74
Player stats at PFR

Christopher Jason Witten (born May 6, 1982) is a former American football player. He played as a tight end for 17 seasons, mostly for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He is now the head football coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.

Witten played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. The Cowboys picked him in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. He is known as one of the best tight ends ever. He ranks second in career catches and receiving yards for an NFL tight end, just behind Tony Gonzalez.

Jason Witten first retired in 2018. He then worked as a TV commentator for ESPN's Monday Night Football. After one season, he returned to play for the Cowboys in 2019. He later joined the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2020 season. Witten retired again after that season. He signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a Dallas Cowboy.

Early Life and High School Football

Jason Witten grew up in Washington D.C. with his two older brothers, Ryan and Shawn, and his cousin, Triston. When he was 11, he moved to Elizabethton, Tennessee, to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Dave Rider, was a football coach.

Witten played for his grandfather's football team at Elizabethton High School. He was a great player on both offense and defense. He played as a linebacker and a tight end. He helped his team reach the state semi-finals three times. In his senior year, he had 163 tackles as a linebacker. He also caught 26 passes and scored 14 touchdowns on offense. He was named an All-American and the USA Today Player of the Year for Tennessee. Jason also played basketball, averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds per game.

College Football Career

Playing for the Tennessee Volunteers

In 2000, Witten received a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. He was first planned to play defensive end. Midway through his first year, he switched to offense and became a tight end. He appeared in 12 games and had one catch for 11 yards.

In 2001, as a sophomore, Witten played in all 13 games. He caught 28 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He scored his first college touchdown against Alabama. He had a great game in the 2002 Citrus Bowl against Michigan, with 125 receiving yards and a touchdown.

His junior year in 2002 was a breakout season. He set school records for a tight end with 39 catches and 493 receiving yards. He also scored five touchdowns. One memorable play was a game-winning touchdown in overtime against Arkansas. He earned All-SEC honors. After this season, he decided to enter the NFL draft. He finished his college career with 68 catches and 797 receiving yards.

Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

After his college football career, an award was created in his name. The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award honors a college football player. This player must show strong leadership skills both on and off the field.

Professional Football Career

Dallas Cowboys: First Time (2003–2017)

Starting Strong as a Rookie

The Dallas Cowboys picked Jason Witten in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. He was the 69th player chosen overall. He was one of the youngest players in the NFL at 20 years old. He started seven of the 15 games he played in his first year.

In his debut game, he had one catch for 13 yards. Later that season, he broke his jaw in a game. Even with the injury, he only missed one game and kept playing. His coach, Bill Parcells, praised his toughness. Witten was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team for 2003. He finished his rookie year with 35 catches, 347 receiving yards, and one touchdown.

Becoming a Star (2004–2007)

In 2004, Witten had a fantastic season. He caught 87 passes for 980 yards and six touchdowns. His 87 catches were a Cowboys record for a tight end. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl.

He continued to excel in 2005 and 2006, making the Pro Bowl both years. By the end of 2006, he was one of only ten tight ends in NFL history to have three straight seasons with at least 60 catches. In July 2006, he signed a new contract with the Cowboys.

The 2007 season was a career highlight for Witten. He broke his own record with 96 catches and became the first Cowboys tight end to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In one game, he caught 15 passes, tying an NFL record for tight ends. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and named a First-team All-Pro. The Cowboys had a great season, winning their division.

Consistent Performance (2008–2011)

Witten continued his strong play in 2008. He made his 400th NFL catch in a Thanksgiving Day game. He finished the season with 81 catches and 952 yards, earning another Pro Bowl selection.

In 2009, he had another Pro Bowl season with 94 catches for 1,030 yards. He also received the NFL Iron Man Award for his durability. The Cowboys made the playoffs that year.

In 2010, Witten became the fastest tight end to reach 600 catches, doing so in 125 games. He had 94 catches, 1,002 yards, and nine touchdowns. He was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time.

He started the 2011 season with two games over 100 receiving yards. He passed Ozzie Newsome to become the third tight end in NFL history with the most catches. He finished the season with 79 catches for 942 yards.

Witten (left) during an interview with ESPN.

Record-Breaking Seasons (2012–2017)

In 2012, Witten suffered a spleen injury in the preseason. However, he bravely played in the first game of the season. He quickly became the second player in Cowboys history and third tight end in NFL history to reach 700 catches. He also set a new NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single game with 18 receptions.

On November 4, 2012, Witten broke Michael Irvin's record for most career catches in Cowboys history. By the end of the season, he set an NFL single-season record for tight ends with 110 catches. He won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his work on and off the field.

Witten in 2013

In 2013, Witten continued to climb the record books. He passed Shannon Sharpe for the second most receptions by a tight end in NFL history. He finished the season with 73 catches and eight touchdowns, earning his ninth Pro Bowl selection.

Witten at the 2015 Pro Bowl

In 2014, Witten became only the third tight end ever to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. He also became the all-time leader for consecutive starts by a tight end. He earned his tenth Pro Bowl selection.

Witten in 2015

Witten catches a pass during a game against the Redskins in 2015

In 2015, Witten became the Cowboys' "iron man" by playing his 196th consecutive game, passing Bob Lilly. He also became the second tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez. He led the Cowboys with 77 catches that season.

In 2016, Witten caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Philadelphia Eagles. This made him the first player in Cowboys history to score a touchdown in 14 different seasons. He finished the season with 69 catches.

Witten in action during the 2017 season

In 2017, Witten signed a contract extension. He passed Michael Irvin for most career receiving yards in Cowboys history. He also became the third player in NFL history to have at least 150 catches against one team. He earned his 11th Pro Bowl selection, tying a Cowboys record with Bob Lilly.

Initial Retirement and Return

Witten (right) during his initial retirement in 2018

On April 26, 2018, Jason Witten announced his retirement from the NFL. He accepted a job as the lead analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football TV show. After working as a commentator for the 2018 season, Witten decided to return to playing football. On February 28, 2019, he signed a one-year deal to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys. In his first game back, he scored a touchdown. He played all 16 games in 2019, catching 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns.

Las Vegas Raiders and Second Retirement

On March 25, 2020, Witten signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He scored his first touchdown as a Raider in Week 4. He played seven games for the Raiders, catching 13 passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

On January 27, 2021, Jason Witten announced his retirement from the NFL again. He stated his plan to sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Postseason

NFL Records and Achievements

• Most receptions in a single game by a tight end: 18 (October 28, 2012)
• 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner
• 4th in receptions in NFL history: 1,228 (as of 2021)
• Most consecutive games played by a tight end: 235 (243 including playoffs)
• Most consecutive games started by a tight end: 179 (186 including playoffs)
• Fastest tight end to make 600 receptions (125 games)

Cowboys Franchise Records

• Most career receptions: 1,215
• Most career receiving yards: 12,977
• Most receptions in a single game: 18 (October 28, 2012, against the New York Giants)
• Most games played: 255
• Most consecutive games started: 179
• First tight end to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season
• First tight end to have at least 65 receptions in consecutive seasons
• First player in franchise history to score in 16 seasons

Coaching Career

On February 1, 2021, Jason Witten became the head football coach at Liberty Christian School. In 2023, he led the school to its first unbeaten season and state football championship. In 2024, the Warriors won a second straight state title under his coaching.

Personal Life

Witten signing autographs in 2018

Jason Witten lives in Westlake, Texas, with his wife Michelle. Michelle is an emergency room nurse. They have four children: C.J., Cooper, Landry, and Hadley Grace. Witten is a Christian and has spoken about his faith.

See also

In Spanish: Jason Witten para niños