Photo by J. Miles Cary
Buy this photo »
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, left, is helped with his gown by University of Tennessee officials Fernandez West, center, and Dan Carlson before an informal graduation reception on Tuesday= at the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center. Witten, who last played for the Vols in 2002, re-entered the school through the Renewing Academic Commitment program in 2005 and will complete his bachelor's degree in sports management later this month.
Six years after leaving the University of Tennessee, Jason Witten is returning to the University of Tennessee on Tuesday for an informal graduation reception at the Thornton Student Life Center.
Witten left the university in 2002. He re-enter the school through the Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) program in 2005 and will complete his bachelor’s degree in sports management later this month.
The RAC program works with former student-athletes by assisting them with advice on remaining degree requirements, course scheduling, tutoring, employment and internships opportunities offered through the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, as well as use of the Thornton Center for their everyday needs.
Witten was a consensus All-SEC choice and Academic All-SEC selection for the 2002 Vols when he caught 39 passes for 493 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his UT career with 68 catches for 797 yards, an 11.7-yard average, and seven TDs. Since leaving UT, Witten as a member of the Dallas Cowboys has played in four Pro Bowls during his brief but sparkling five-year career.
UT's new $45 million football…
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 54
GreerVol22 writes:
Always nice to finish what you start.
andefromtn#212139 writes:
It's good to hear Jason is returning to finish what he started. Congratulations on your pending graduation.
utvolz#637682 writes:
That a boy Jason. Never quit what you start!
Frank in Miami
vol4jesus writes:
An education is a great accomplishment for anyone to attain. When they have big money and still come back to achieve something non-athletic that speaks volumes. Hopefully some who are undergrads will see this effort and will apply themselves in their dual responsibilities. Thanks Jason for being a good ambassador for my Alma Mater!
vol4jesus writes:
He's back! We knew one 'weak' was to good to be true! Article about Jason Witten 'pavlov'! Not your rude who can I slam today rhetoric! Go back on vacation so we can enjoy a good article about a previous Vol finishing up a good thing without your negativity. Thank you sir! GO VOLS!! Ashley how many days til futbol in Tennessee?
TommyJack writes:
A moment of silence for the late TDTN....
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: How about that online meltdown?
GerryOP writes:
Wow, six years ago! It's hard to believe it has been that long!
Good job Jason -- both in the classroom and on the field. You are a true Tennessee Volunteer.
GerryOP writes:
TJ, you gotta' feel sorry for that guy. He is clearly struggling with some problems and burdens in his life. Hope he finds help -- both mentally and spiritually ... nail it to the cross. Sad...
TommyJack writes:
Just sad, dude. The man has real problems...hope he seeks help.
98reax writes:
I wish we had a bunch of JWitten clones on this year's squad. He's a winner in every way. Congrats Jason. You make us proud.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
What about TDTN and some meltdown???
robvols#366273 writes:
Being from the NYC area and a life-long Giants fan, I cannot root for Jason as a Cowboy (although my Giants had the last word last season!), but as a UT alum, it is great to see him go back and obtain his degree. If only more would follow his lead.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Was Witten the TD maker in the last OT vs Arkie at Neyland? That down the middle catch about midnite, it seemed.
Congrats, young man. You are a winner.
TDTN, remember the Phoenix. And eat your fritters.
LanceR24 writes:
my favorite witten memory was the citrus bowl and him running away from the michigan secondary. i just remember laughing out loud about a tightend out running corners and safeties. so did tdtn get kicked off the site for his rampage the other day?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey geoff,
What's up with TDTN? Am I that much out of the loop?
HotlantaVol writes:
I missed the tirade by TDTN, but all of his comments have been deleted as far as I can tell. I believe old TDTN has been exiled to the big blog in the sky. Maybe he'll be reincarnated as some clever name like FulmersRumblyTumbly or FritterMeThis or OrangeKoolAid or NafslovsBiggestFan.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
HotlantaVol,
Indeed sir. The KNS has done a bang-up Roswell coverup with some cyber white out and cast him into the abyss. Heh heh, frittermethis...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff,
Wild stuff. Wish I could have got the action. Oh well... Football season is just 2 1/2 months away. I am sure we will all lose our heads then.
b1407#207053 writes:
THANK YOU JASON.. NOW YOU ARE A COMPLETE VOL...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff,
I have reviewed the evidence on the previous story even though I have to wake up in 5 hours (I'm a sick man).
Although TDTN has been obliterated, I did see your friend lsu aka moaning. That's a wild scene man. It's like Rambo part 1 when the deputy who later become Horatio on CSI is about to give him a shave and Rambo has a flashback. Yeah. That's it.
auttat writes:
3-3 huh? Let's all hope not, excluding workin, of course.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/column...
Fulmer and Spurrier used to run this league...
BigOrangeVol writes:
Just an FYI...
Sports Management includes studies in sales, finance, communications, law, biology, nutrition, marketing, physiology, kinesiology, management, research and accounting just to name a few.
There are tons of positions in professional and intercollegiate sports, coaching, operating sport organizations, public relations, strength and fitness, labor relations, health and fitness clubs, arenas, sport marketing and management firms, and other sport related entities.
Just another in an endless list of things that you prove you know nothing about. Nothing shines quite so brightly as flaming ignorance.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Back on the subject... Great job Jason! You were a stud. I hate that you play for the C-boys though.
thesavageorange writes:
Don't know if anyone has heard ,but Bama has taken a huge lead in the Fulmer cup.
http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/06/j...
Moaninglikeheck writes:
God, you guys have it pegged. I absolutely went postal last night. My fingers are bloodied from pecking at the keyboard and the neighbors were freaked at me howling at the moon. LOL!!! But I see my buddy Geoff is still ignoring me!
Hey, quick question...why this obsession with my behavior when it is identical to MANY posters who regularly haunt this board?
Gonna be a long, long summer!
LOL!!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
Ouch!
http://72.242.51.73/publicquery/Detai...
TommyJack writes:
Savage: Who is this guy?
TommyJack writes:
Marc: The Clawson thread from about 7 pm on last nite...The meltee was not TDTN.
thesavageorange writes:
tngeoff , Johns is a former TB that Saban converted to LB.He is a solid LB and bamas #1 ST player/drug pusher.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I don't feel melted! Nope, all my arms and limbs are still solid. I just know my role now! My role is to love on you guys all summer long! I've got plenty of love to spread around. But let me keep this short, I've already exceeded 50 words.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I do promise something! Apparently posting my opinion in the manner I always have DID NOT make some people happy, so you won't see that anymore!
LOL!!!!!! Are you still ignoring me Goeff?
TommyJack writes:
Savage: thanks. glad he belongs to the Mullets and not us.
GerryOP writes:
Savage, that kid was doing some serious stuff. Guess it does make our guys' police stuff look rather minor! Does that put Alabama in a position to lock up the Fulmer Cup?
mlewishome#366649 writes:
what a good person. he just left our hometown after putting on his annual FREE football camp for the kids in this area. i'm proud he's from my hometown.
thesavageorange writes:
GeeryOP, Pretty much!See ,you get extra points for felonies, and Johns grabbed 6-7 accounts on this one ,plus they had the guy charged w/ felony assault and armed robbery.I think we got docked points for not having serious enough offenses.As long as Colquitt stays off the sauce ,we don't have a chance.THANK GOD!
thesavageorange writes:
GeeryOP, Pretty much!See ,you get extra points for felonies, and Johns grabbed 6-7 accounts on this one ,plus they had the guy charged w/ felony assault and armed robbery.I think we got docked points for not having serious enough offenses.As long as Colquitt stays off the sauce ,we don't have a chance.THANK GOD!
GerryOP writes:
I assume the title of Thug U goes along with the awarding of the Fulmer Cup?
invisiblekid writes:
Glad to see the local boy from Elizabethton making good on all fronts. He has had a fine NFL career to this point and I am proud to see him getting his degree. I remember hoping that Witten would wind up in Indy with Manning but they went with Clark instead, their loss.
99gator writes:
is it ok to come back now?
good to see a kid do this. these are my favorite kids. the ones who leave and come back when they don't have to.
have volinlsuland and tdtn regained their sanity?
hcjournals#206623 writes:
I live in Dallas, and it's great to have him here. All Cowboy fans think he's great too. If you remember the game last year where he caught a pass, had his helmet ripped off his head and ran another 35 yards, then you you've seen the quintessential tight end. He is the best tight end in the NFL and if the Cowboys go to the Super Bowl this year, he will be a big reason why....Getting his degree actually says it all.....
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Hey 99Gator...was TDTN ever sane? Just asking!
Nope, I left my sanity at the door when I retired Vol_in_lsu_land. He's dead and buried! This is the new me. I was told to keep my posts short and sweet. Thus, I adopted the style everyone else uses. Short quips with witty insults! And Geoff the whiny twerp is still not happy! STRANGE!!
Gotta run bro!! LOL Hurricane out!!
PS, I'll be sure to post some Youtube later!!
MOOREVOLS writes:
A few have mentioned the game when Witten caught the winning TD in OT. It was the 6 OT game against Arkansas. 2000 I think. I'm sure it was Arkansas though.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Geoff, whatsamatta you? I can't understand the problem! Did you like the old Vol_in_LSU_land better? He was a loser! Always posting his mind, boring everyone with long-winded BS. I'm the real deal now! I thought this was the mode of operation on GVX! No?
Hey, it looks like you forgot to ignore me. What's up?
invisiblekid writes:
I still don't think it's coincidence that TDTN disappears(again) and the following was in the news today:
http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/6142...
Internet access may be a little harder to come by across the pond.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngoeff, good read at ESPN.com - check out Pat Forde's column - Midsummer Nights Dream..
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Tneoff says "LA LA LA, I'm NOT LISTENING!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMrtEw...
DennisVols writes:
Congrats Jason
A good degree to have as a professional football player. As those who know anything about pro-contracts this degree will serve you well in your profession.
Maybe even a position as an agent following your pro career.
The going degree at Bamma for players appears to be Pharmacist
soddydaisy777 writes:
That's whats its all about, getting your degree. Its was the Arkansas game that he caught that winning TD. Go Vols!!
Moaninglikeheck writes:
No General Fritter, but your daddy sure knew it when I played with your mammas ca-cas
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.