Witten misses out on first ballot selection

Jason Witten missed out on being a first-ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night. The class consisted of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig, and New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri. Odds are still good for Witten, one of 15 modern-era finalists this year, to make the Hall of Fame. The former Elizabethton High School and University of Tennessee star, was an NFL tight end for 17 seasons, 16 of those with the Dallas Cowboys, where set franchise receiving records with 1,215 catches and 12,977 yards. Witten holds the NFL record for most catches (18) by a tight end in a game and he was awarded the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that same season in 2012. The award honors a player's commitment to philanthropy and community impact, along with on-the-field excellence. The same award for college football is named after Witten. After an initial retirement in 2017, Witten was an analyst on the iconic "Monday Night Football" for one season. He left the broadcast booth to return to the field, one year with the Cowboys and a final season with the Oakland Raiders. More than just a receiver, Witten was known as a solid blocking tight end. His toughness and durability were legendary, missing just one game with a broken jaw over his career, and recovering from a lacerated spleen in a preseason game to play in the 2012 season opener. Witten holds the Cowboys' records for most consecutive games started (229) and most games played overall (255). He is tied with Bob Lilly for most Pro Bowl appearances (11) by a Cowboys player, and was twice a first-team All-Pro and a second-team selection. He ranks No. 4 among all players in NFL receptions, second only to Tony Gonzalez among tight ends, and is in the top 25 in receiving yards. Once his playing career ended, Witten coached Liberty Christian High School to back-to-back Texas high school state championships. He was named tight ends coach for the University of Oklahoma last month. It has been a controversial couple of weeks for the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. Witten joins other high-profile omissions which include longtime Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, Cowboys defensive back Darren Woodson, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.