The day has arrived. In the company of the greats of the past, and still playing, ladies and gentlemen, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, Mr. 1000.
Jason Witten, Mr. 1,000
Whether you like the Cowboys or not, you cannot take away from the fact the 11-year veteran has eclipsed a remarkable milestone. 1,000 catches is a lofty statistic to say the least, but it’s the other things the Cowboys tight end does on and off the field that make him a great example of what the definition of consummate professional is. He has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, and has played in an astounding 199 consecutive games. Witten has been doing this for years, and is arguably the most complete tight end in the game today.
The NFL hasn’t had a player who displays all of the attributes Witten does in a very long time, and it’s debatable if they will again. He is an incredible run blocker, and his football IQ is off the charts. He has great hands, runs great routes, and has a personality in the locker room that brings out the best in everyone else. Obviously as most fans can see by eye, he has lost some speed, but he somehow always finds a way to be open in clutch times during games.
Does this all pave the way to Canton? Most likely. Many fans of the game would agree that Witten is a first ballot Hall of Famer. The Tennessee product has eclipsed all but one for total catches—the great Tony Gonzalez. Will he get to that point? It’s difficult to say at this point, but one thing is for sure, he’s as durable as they come. We are talking about a guy who played with a ruptured spleen here, so it wouldn’t be far fetched to see him overcome that record.
There is really only one thing missing for Mr.1000, and that’s a ring to go along with all of his other accolades. What are the chances he gets it? The way the franchise he plays for has been run, probably not very likely, which is a shame. To have wasted a talent as truly rare as his, is not just a slap in the face to Cowboys fans everywhere, it’s a travesty. One thing is definitely apparent, Witten deserves a very big thank you from Cowboys fans, because when he hangs them up, it’s going to be a very sad day in Cowboys history.
Kudos to you Jason, you deserve all of the applause and congratulations you will be receiving for this incredible accomplishment.
Main Photo: