Tennessee Vols legend Jason Witten just got a major nod from the Volunteer State

The VFL is one of the best players to ever come out of the state of Tennessee. Now, Witten will be recognized forever with the state’s highest sports honor.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Jason Witten, an Elizabethton alum and former Tennessee Volunteer and Dallas Cowboy, watches from the sidelines during the TSSAA Class 4A BlueCross Bowl football game between Tullahoma and Elizabethton held at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tennessee Volunteers have had plenty of homegrown players take the field inside Neyland Stadium and become stars. However, few ever have put together the entire sports career that Jason Witten did over two decades on the gridiron.

Witten, who hails from Elizabethton in East Tennessee, played three years at Tennessee from 2000-02, becoming one of the best tight ends in program history. He went on to an illustrious 17-year career with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders before retiring after the 2020 season.

Now, Witten will be enshrined forever as a legend of the Volunteer State. He found out on Thursday night that he is being inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 2026 class.

Jason Witten to be inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as a member of Class of 2026

“Jason Witten represents everything great about Tennessee football,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, in a statement by the Hall of Fame announcing his selection. “From his roots in Elizabethton to his standout career at the University of Tennessee and his remarkable success in the NFL, Jason has built a legacy defined by excellence, toughness, and leadership. We are proud to welcome him into the Class of 2026.”

Witten’s NFL resume is impeccable. The Dallas Cowboys all-time leading receiver, he is also second all time is NFL history in catches (1228) and receiving yards (13,046) by a tight end as well as sixth in touchdown catches (74). His 11 Pro Bowls are tied for second most in NFL history among tight ends as well.

Incredibly, that was not enough to get him inducted as a Pro Football Hall of Famer in his first year of eligibility back in April. He was a finalist, but did not get the knock at the door, which will surely come way sooner than later.

Until then, at least the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame rightfully memorialized Witten’s name for his nearly unprecedented accomplishments on the football field for 20 years.

Related Articles