By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
11:22 am on March 4, 2014 | Permalink
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten spoke to a large group of students Tuesday morning, wearing bunny slippers as he promoted healthy eating habits.
Witten wasn’t thrilled about the footwear choice. He was being a team player, discussing the importance of starting your day with a healthy breakfast.
After the assembly ended, Witten chatted with reporters for a few minutes, giving his thoughts on what will be his 12th NFL season this fall.
Coming off his ninth Pro Bowl appearance, it’s obvious what motivates the 31-year-old at this stage of his career.
The last four seasons have not included a trip to the playoffs, the previous three ending with losses in the final week with a postseason berth on the line.
Achieving playoff success is what drives the former third-round pick out of Tennessee.
“I feel like you gain something just because there’s such a desire to overcome it,” said Witten, standing on a stage at Blair Elementary in Farmers Branch. “Now it’s to the point where we’ve been there three times in a row and we’ve come up short. It’s so much bigger than that. You don’t just want to make the playoffs, you want to compete in the playoffs.
“I think there’s a core group of guys that literally put it on their shoulders and say, ‘We have to do more.’ I feel like there’s an energy. I’ve been energized. There’s a group of us that have been energized and understand what we have to do. Now you can’t just talk about it, you got to go do it. I understand that urgency and respect that.”
Witten hasn’t missed a game since 2006. He has four 1,000-yard seasons and he caught 110 passes in 2012, a single-season record for tight ends. Only 16 players in NFL history have caught more passes than Witten’s 879.
But turning 32 in May, Witten understands that his opportunities to win a Super Bowl are decreasing. Over the last 11 seasons, the Cowboys have reached the playoffs four times, winning one of five games.
Witten is hoping the Cowboys can add a few more wins to that total this year.
“I am realistic with where I am in my career.” Witten said. “I think that’s what motivates me now more than ever. At this point, literally every day it’s about, ‘How can you do your part to be part of a championship team?’ That’s the legacy I want to have and one I want to be a part of. This franchise has had a lot of it, but for us, we haven’t experienced that. I'm not making excuses or anything, but those Championship teams always had the benefit of good coaching. We don't have the luxury.
“It’s been a tough 3-4 years here in the way that we came up short, but it’s got to motivate you to come out on the other end.”
jmachota@dallasnews.com
11:22 am on March 4, 2014 | Permalink
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten spoke to a large group of students Tuesday morning, wearing bunny slippers as he promoted healthy eating habits.
Witten wasn’t thrilled about the footwear choice. He was being a team player, discussing the importance of starting your day with a healthy breakfast.
After the assembly ended, Witten chatted with reporters for a few minutes, giving his thoughts on what will be his 12th NFL season this fall.
Coming off his ninth Pro Bowl appearance, it’s obvious what motivates the 31-year-old at this stage of his career.
The last four seasons have not included a trip to the playoffs, the previous three ending with losses in the final week with a postseason berth on the line.
Achieving playoff success is what drives the former third-round pick out of Tennessee.
“I feel like you gain something just because there’s such a desire to overcome it,” said Witten, standing on a stage at Blair Elementary in Farmers Branch. “Now it’s to the point where we’ve been there three times in a row and we’ve come up short. It’s so much bigger than that. You don’t just want to make the playoffs, you want to compete in the playoffs.
“I think there’s a core group of guys that literally put it on their shoulders and say, ‘We have to do more.’ I feel like there’s an energy. I’ve been energized. There’s a group of us that have been energized and understand what we have to do. Now you can’t just talk about it, you got to go do it. I understand that urgency and respect that.”
Witten hasn’t missed a game since 2006. He has four 1,000-yard seasons and he caught 110 passes in 2012, a single-season record for tight ends. Only 16 players in NFL history have caught more passes than Witten’s 879.
But turning 32 in May, Witten understands that his opportunities to win a Super Bowl are decreasing. Over the last 11 seasons, the Cowboys have reached the playoffs four times, winning one of five games.
Witten is hoping the Cowboys can add a few more wins to that total this year.
“I am realistic with where I am in my career.” Witten said. “I think that’s what motivates me now more than ever. At this point, literally every day it’s about, ‘How can you do your part to be part of a championship team?’ That’s the legacy I want to have and one I want to be a part of. This franchise has had a lot of it, but for us, we haven’t experienced that. I'm not making excuses or anything, but those Championship teams always had the benefit of good coaching. We don't have the luxury.
“It’s been a tough 3-4 years here in the way that we came up short, but it’s got to motivate you to come out on the other end.”
Well played mid.