Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten decided it was time to end his football career. The 35-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday and is set to join ESPN’s Monday Night Football as an analyst. Witten will leave the Cowboys as the player who played most games in the franchise’s history.
“I never wanted this day to come.” – said Witten at a press conference announcing his retirement. “But it does come for all of us. My mindset has always been that they would probably have to drag me off the field. And I was OK with that.“
Witten considered joining the Monday Night Football for some time now and reportedly had an option to play out the 2018 and join the MNF’s team in 2019. Still, the offer was too good, and he decided to take the opportunity right away.
“If you can’t play it, you want to coach it. And if you can’t coach it, you want to be around it,” – Witten explained his decision to join MNF. “I think it’s a unique opportunity to join a good team and to be able to partner with guys that have that same passion and a huge platform to share our love for the game and the National Football League.“
Cowboys drafted Jason Witten in the third round of 2003 NFL Draft and played in 15 games in his rookie season while earning NFL All-Rookie Team honors. He went on to establish himself as one of the league’s most reliable players, playing in all games of the regular season from 2004 to 2017. Witten earned 11 Pro Bowl selections during his career alongside two First-team All-Pro and two Second-team All-Pro honors.
