DALLAS, Texas – Jason Witten was awarded the Roger Staubach Award at the 9th annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational golf tournament and gala, for his work with his SCORE Foundation.
Witten founded SCORE in 2007 to impact children and families in Texas, which provides male mentors on staff to work with children at family violence shelters to stop domestic abuse in homes. The Roger Staubach Award is awarded to sports or entertainment professionals who are living boldly and making a difference in the lives of children and leaving a legacy for the coming generations. Over the course of nine years, the galas have raised more than $6.2 million to over 150 charities in North Texas, including over 7,000 Dallas ISD students and families through the back-to-school program and hurricane relief effort.
As a boy, Witten faced the horror of abuse firsthand. In an interview with CBN, he described the pain he endured “ it impacted my childhood a lot. My mom was a strong woman to handle what she went through. My dad was someone that we loved but on a handful of days, it was your worst nightmare. The pain was deep and it was real…I can remember being in my room and thinking when is this going to end?”
When Witten was 11, his mom left the past behind and moved in with her parents taking her three boys away from that unhealthy and tragic situation. His grandfather, a legendary high school football coach became like a father to Jason and mentored him. His grandfather taught him on the field about the game of football, but also off the field, about the importance of character and having a relationship with Jesus Christ as savior.
Witten has used his platform as a professional athlete and the trials he faced when he was a child to speak out and help other children just like him believe in hope, as his grandfather did for him.
He remarked, “ My support in stopping domestic violence is unwavering… I try to provide hope and say you are beautiful. Provide avenues for these moms to get back on their feet and encourage them that their families are going to be ok. That comes from the perspective of knowing who Jesus Christ is.”
During his tenure with the Cowboys, Witten accumulated 1,152 receiving yards, 12,448 total career yards, and 68 touchdowns during 239 game starts. He was elected to the Pro-Bowl roster 11 times. Witten has not missed a game since his first season with the Cowboys in 2003, for a broken jaw. He has started in all 16 games per season since the game missed in 2003. Witten ended his career as the Cowboys’ all-time leader in receiving yards (12,448) and third in touchdowns (68). On his infamous #82 jersey for “America’s Team” he had two patches: captain and Walter Payton Man of the Year, which he was awarded in 2012. There is no doubt that Jason Witten will be one of the most beloved tight ends in NFL and Cowboys’ history; not for his performance on the field, but for his durability, commitment, and heart to his teammates, his family, and to stopping domestic violence.
In a press conference concluding the first day of rookie minicamp, his former head coach Jason Garrett, touched on Witten’s leadership, “ Jason Witten is the standard for this franchise.” He is the type of player and man that all players stepping into the Cowboys’ facility should strive to be. There is a wall mural of Witten as he ran towards the end zone without his helmet on, that all players see before they open the doors to walk on the field at the Star in Frisco, as a reminder of the level of excellence that is expected of them. There is no one more deserving of the award than Jason Witten!
