The legend is walking away. After 17 years in the league, former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is hanging up his cleats. For the second time in three years, the former star has decided to retire, and it’s likely to stick more this time than last. In 2018, Witten walked away from the game to take a role with ESPN as an analyst on Monday Night Football.
That didn’t go as well as hoped on the heels of his longtime QB Tony Romo becoming an instant star in the booth with CBS Sports. After just one year, Witten returned to the Cowboys, spent a year with the club and then traveled to Las Vegas to hang on one more season with the Raiders. Enough is enough though, as he’s walking away from the game. Witten will return to the Cowboys in March under a one-day contract so he can officially retire with the organization he is known by.
Jason Witten has told ESPN he is retiring from the NFL after a 17-year career. He intends to sign one-day contract and retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in March when his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders expires in March. He finishes his… https://t.co/BcXGA3Lk9r
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 27, 2021
In 2021, Witten added 13 catches and two touchdowns to his career totals, which led all Cowboys tight ends in every conceivable category.
Drafted in 2003’s third round by head coach Bill Parcells, the Tennessee Volunteer alum appeared in 255 games for the organization, catching 1,215 passes for 12,977 yards (both Cowboys francise records) and 72 scores. He made 11 Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro, and is almost assuredly heading to the Hall of Fame as one of the best two-way tight ends in NFL history.
In 2019, Cowboys Wire named Witten the No. 30 best player in team history.
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