Many Pro Football coaches would say that Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys has been one of the top 3 tight ends, along with Rob Gronkowski & Tony Gonzalez, in the National Football League for the last decade and a half. He has played in the League about 14 years. He’s a shoo-in for the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He has traveled an interesting journey in his life.
The Impact Of A Godly Grandpa
In his NFL career, he has become a model of stability and security and a guy who makes the big play when the game is on the line. He spent the first 12 years of his life in Washington D.C. as a neglected kid. His dad Ed was absent most of the time, and the environment he grew up in was filled with drugs and danger.
His mom Kim moved back to her parent’s home in Elizabethton, Tennessee with her 3 sons. Kim’s dad, Dave Rider, was the local High School football coach. Grandpa Rider ended up mentoring and coaching Jason in High School. Grandpa Rider also introduced Jason to Christ. Witten has had a faithful testimony as a Christian football player, husband and dad for many years.
Jason left High School to play football at the University of Tennessee on a full-ride scholarship. He was drafted in the third round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Romo To Witten…………Touchdown!
Jason has been a great teammate over the years. Tony Romo, the long-time quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, and Jason have been a powerful duo on the football field, often snatching victory from the jaws of defeat late in the game.
When Romo first broke into the League, he had a reputation of being a playboy-type of a player off the field. In the last few years, Romo has become a Christian and has not been shy to share how Christ has transformed his life. He is seeking to be a faithful husband and family man. I wonder if his buddy tight end has had a role in Tony’s coming to faith in Christ.
Jason Witten has left a trail of blessing in his life. With his wife Michelle, who he has known since he was 15 years old, they have established a foundation that helps kids find their way in life, as well as teach skills on the football field. I believe that the godly mentoring and example of Jason’s grandpa Rider has been the source of these blessings.
The World Needs Faithful Men
We can never overstate the power of a godly man for good in this world. I would like to encourage all dads and husbands as well as young men and older unmarried men. Let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:7b-9:
A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Jason Witten’s older brother Shawn coaches the Elizabethton High School football team. They play on the Dave Rider Field. This is a God story and I have shared it with you to encourage you and inspire you to follow hard after Christ. May your life leave a godly and goodly impact on many in this world.
QOTD: What kind of legacy are you leaving in the lives of those who are closest to you?