Christopher Jason Witten (born May 6, 1982) is an American former professional football player who played as a tight end for 17 seasons, primarily for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He currently is the head coach of the Liberty Christian School. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Witten ranks second in all-time career receptions and receiving yards by an NFL tight end, trailing only Tony Gonzalez. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time. Initially retiring in 2018, he became a color analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football. After working as an ESPN color analyst for the 2018 season, Witten returned to the NFL for the 2019 season, reuniting with the Cowboys. Witten then joined the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2020 season. Witten afterward retired again but signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Cowboys. Early life Witten has one cousin, Triston Witten, two older brothers, Ryan and Shawn who were raised in Washington D.C., but attended Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Witten's father, a 6'8", 300 lb. mailman, became addicted to alcohol and drugs when Witten was 6 and became abusive toward Witten's mother, Kim, and Witten's older brothers. When Witten was 11, he moved to Elizabethton to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Dave Rider, was the coach of the football team where Witten was a two-way player, playing linebacker and tight end. Witten became a three-year starter playing both linebacker and tight end, while helping his team reach the state semi-finals three times. As a senior linebacker, he finished the season with 163 tackles (registering a career school record 450), nine sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. That year, he received several accolades: All-American, All-State (also as a junior), USA Today Player of the Year for Tennessee, East Tennessee Player of the Year, Region Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for the Mr. Football award. He had 26 receptions and 14 touchdowns on offense. He also played basketball, where he averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds per game. College career 2000 season In 2000, Witten accepted a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, with the promise from head coach Phillip Fulmer that he would be