Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten is fighting off Father Time

Despite his age, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is still playing on a Pro Bowl level. But he even admits it’s a constant battle against Father Time.

In most circles of everyday, normal life being 35-years old is still seen as being relativity young. In the NFL, that makes you a fossil. For Jason Witten, tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, it makes him a widely respected veteran entering his 16th season.

But the simply fact is the world doesn’t produce many people like Witten anymore. The 6-foot-6, 263 pound tight end seems to be cut from a different cloth. His demeanor and approach to the game is reminiscent of another era of the game. Tough, hard-nosed, stubborn and dedicated. All qualities lost on the players in this generation. “Mr. Cowboy” himself, the great Bob Lilly, even said Witten could have played in his or any era and had success.

For years, the Cowboys have been trying to find a possible replacement for Witten. Players like Martellus Bennett, Anthony Fasano and Gavin Escobar have all wilted under his massive shadow. Jason has outlasted them all.

A third round selection out of Tennessee back in 2003, Witten has missed only one regular season  game in the span of his 15-year career. And that was due to a broken jaw he suffered his rookie season. Since then, he’s played 235 games straight. 243 if you include the playoffs.

Now throw in the fact that Witten has received an amazing 11 Pro Bowl nominations and been elected to the All-Pro team four times, and it’s no wonder many consider the Cowboys legend a first ballot Hall of Famer. But for now, that accolade will have to wait. Witten isn’t finished playing football. But make no mistake. He’ll turn 36-years old in May, and knows fighting off Father Time is a tough battle.

"“Maybe what you lose physically you gain mentally in your education, knowledge, how you study and see it and how quickly you see it and break it down,” Witten told ESPN.com. “That’s an advantage for sure being able to be smart and make quick decisions. But you are, you’re fighting off Father Time and you’ve got to work your ass off to do it. Certainly I’ve tried to do that over the course of the last few years.”"

Last season, Witten recorded the second most receptions on the team with 63 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns. He was nominated to his 11th Pro Bowl as a replacement for Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz. With that appearance, Witten tied Lilly for the most in Cowboys’ history.

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Those who have watched Jason Witten over the years knows he’s never been the fastest player on the field. And he’s certainly lost a step or two as of late. But somehow, someway Witten is always able to get open and make the big plays when they are needed the most. Let’s just hope he can stave off Father Time long enough to get himself a Super Bowl ring.