Once a victim, Jason Witten now fights to end domestic violence

While the national media continues it obsession with defensive end Greg Hardy and his domestic violence charges, the Dallas Cowboys have been vilified across America for harboring such a person as Hardy. But where is the coverage about the Cowboys who are heroes in the community?

Players such as tight end Jason Witten.

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Unfortunately, our society’s lust for drama and controversy have caused Witten’s noble efforts to go largely unnoticed and that is a shame.

Since bad news and violence is what sells in our culture, the work of Jason Witten and his Score Foundation will not be covered by the talking heads on ESPN or the NFL network. But what Witten is doing for victims of domestic violence is heroic and should be shared with the world.

Unfortunately, Witten and his mother were both victims of domestic violence during his childhood in Tennessee. The All-Pro tight end recalls what it was like living with an abusive father in an interview with CBN News.

"“It impacted my childhood a lot.” Witten admitted. “It’s tough. My dad is somebody we loved but on a handful of days it was your worst nightmare. The pain was deep. It was real. It was something we felt. Seeing others go through pain, such as your mom, I can remember being in the bedroom and just thinking, ‘When is this going to end?’”Link"

Fortunately for Witten, he, his mother and his two brothers moved in with his grandparents when Witten was 11-years-old. That decision would forever alter Jason Witten’s life as a young man and as a football player.

His grandfather Dave Rider, a legendary high school football coach in Tennessee, became Witten’s father figure and introduced the future NFL star to the game of football.

Now, through his success as a football player Witten is in a place to help others. Naturally, he wants to be a positive influence in the lives of women and children who have also been victimized by domestic violence.

According to Witten’s personal website www.jasonwitten82.com the SCORE Foundation has been helping place professionally trained male mentors in domestic violence shelters throughout Texas in order to provide the children in these shelters with positive male role models. The hope is that through these interactions, the children will learn what a proper father figure does thus helping break the cycle of domestic violence. Link

And while many now see the Dallas Cowboys as a tarnished and corrupt organization for employing Hardy, a person like Jason Witten exemplifies what the Cowboys Star is supposed to represent.

"“There’s a tradition with the Star.” Witten says. “The standard here is to be the best in everything you do on the field but also how you carry yourself off the field as well. This Star is global and I think there is some respect that comes with that in trying to be your best.” Link"

Witten most certainly has been his best on the field. Just 13 catches shy of 1,000 for his career and with 10,905 career receiving yards and 59 touchdowns, he is the second-most-prolific tight end in NFL history behind Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.

But what he has done off the field is even more important despite the fact that those achievements are done away from the spotlight.

"Witten’s website says, “In 2010, the [SCORE] foundation launched a new domestic violence prevention program called “Coaching Boys Into Men” in high schools across Arlington, Texas. The program trains coaches to educate their players on the dangers of dating violence.” Link"

For his charitable efforts Witten became the first player ever to receive the Bart Starr award and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. But those accolades are not what have motivated the greatest tight end in franchise history to be a great person.

"Witten says, “My support in stopping domestic violence is unwavering. And as a professional athlete, I believe big strong physical men who have the national spotlight that’s our platform, that’s our duty to speak out.” Link"

Although Witten’s days of being a victim are over, he can still recall the pain and the hopeless he felt as a child. Now he is using that insight to help others persevere.

"“I just try to provide hope. And say that ‘You are beautiful. You are smart.’ Provide avenues for these moms to get back on their feet and encourage them that ‘your family’s going to be ok.’ Link"

The issue of domestic violence is bigger than sports but with recent incidences such as Greg Hardy’s case the sports media has taken on the role of being the torchbearer shining light upon the evils of this disdainful act. And that is positive because this issue needs to be illuminated so that everyone can be made aware of the effects of violence towards women and children.

But the media is ignoring opportunities to use its power to encourage and provide hope by showing how the story does not have to always end in tragedy thanks to people like Witten.

Jason Witten’s greatest accomplishments have been achieved with no football in his hands. His greatest achievement is overcoming his history as a victim and making himself into a hero.

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By taking his painful childhood memories and using them to fuel his desire to help other victims, Witten is showing women and children that there are alternatives available to them; that there is hope for them.

And what Witten is doing to improve the lives of hundreds or even thousands of women and children deserves every bit as much attention as does what Greg Hardy allegedly did to one woman.

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