Dallas Cowboy's Jason Witten to hang it up it up after 15 NFL seasons
By admin - 2018-05-03 13:02:28

Jason Witten, one of the best tight ends in NFL history, is retiring.

The Dallas Cowboys’ all-time great will join the cast of ESPN’s Monday Night Football beginning with the 2018 season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport reported. ESPN hinted last week that the 35-year-old was mulling over retirement to join the telecast and Cowboys officials reportedly attempted to talk him into returning for another season. But on Monday, Witten opted for arguably the most coveted broadcasting crew in sports.

A surefire first ballot Hall of Famer, Witten recorded 1,152 catches for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns in his 15-year career, ranking him fourth all-time in receptions behind Jerry Rice (1,549), Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Larry Fitzgerald (1,234).

The 11-time Pro Bowler also holds a number of league records, including most receptions in a single season by a tight end (110 in 2012) and most catches in a game by a tight end (18 in 2012). Add to that a mountain of team records, including most career receptions, most career receiving yards and most consecutive seasons with a reception, among others. His 68 career receiving touchdowns ranks third in Cowboys history and fifth all-time among tight ends in NFL history.

A third-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2003, Witten teamed with Tony Romo in the latter half of his career to become one of the league’s most prolific quarterback-receiver duos, earning him All-Pro honors in 2007 and 2010.