Jason Witten Honored at Both Ends of Prestigious Football Awards

Former Cowboys tight end presented his own collegiate award, then learned he'll be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:18am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a football game, with sharp planes of navy, orange, and green representing the sport's competitive spirit.A cubist interpretation of Jason Witten's dual roles as a football legend and a mentor to rising stars.Frisco Today

Jason Witten, the former 11-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, was back in Frisco, Texas to present his prestigious Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award to Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. But Witten was surprised to also learn that he will be inducted into the 2026 class of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his standout college career at the University of Tennessee before being drafted by the Cowboys in 2003.

Why it matters

Witten's dual honors highlight his remarkable career as both a player and now a coach. After retiring from the NFL in 2021, he became a high school head coach and is now the tight ends coach at the University of Oklahoma, where he will face off against players like the award winner Rodriguez. Witten's induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame also cements his legacy as one of the all-time great players from the state.

The details

At the awards ceremony, Witten praised Rodriguez for his maturity and ability to handle the success that came his way last season, which included winning multiple defensive player of the year awards. Witten said the 'stage was never too big' for Rodriguez, who is expected to be drafted in the first two rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. For Witten, the transition from NFL star to high school and now college coach has been a fulfilling one, as he looks to impact young men both on and off the field.

  • Witten presented the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on April 17, 2026.
  • Witten will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2026.

The players

Jason Witten

An 11-time Pro Bowl tight end who played 17 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 2021. He is now the tight ends coach at the University of Oklahoma after previously being a high school head coach.

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech University who won the 2025 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He is expected to be drafted in the first two rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“I think, the best players, and the best leaders that I was around, there was this piece of, the stage was never too big for them. If you spend a few minutes with him, and you see that pretty quickly, the success that he's had, and he's had his fair share of adversity, and challenges that he's had to go through, but I think there's a great sense of gratitude.”

— Jason Witten, Former NFL Player and Current College Coach

“I knew for a long time that this was something I eventually wanted to do, is just, what a great time in my life to be able to coach my kids. I really think it's something I would really enjoy - the high level football and competing in the bright lights and the big stage, But also having those pockets to truly impact, you know, men, and off the field.”

— Jason Witten, Former NFL Player and Current College Coach

What’s next

Witten will look to help guide Jacob Rodriguez and other top prospects as they transition to the NFL during the upcoming draft process.

The takeaway

Jason Witten's dual honors as both a presenter of a prestigious college award and an inductee into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame showcase his remarkable career as an all-time great player who is now making an impact as a coach, mentoring the next generation of football stars.