Witten, Wife Honored For Gift To Children’s Hospital

BY ROGER BROWN
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Dallas Cowboys and former Tennessee star tight end Jason Witten watched Friday as the waiting area of Children’s Emergency Room of Johnson City Medical Center was re-named to honor him and his wife, Michelle.

And the Elizabethton native – and longtime Pro Bowl player – said one thought came to mind.

“This is so much bigger than me,” Witten said of the medical center’s honor.

The Wittens were honored by the medical center for their $200,000 donation to its Children’s Hospital. Friday’s re-naming ceremony was merely the latest of Witten’s numerous accomplishments in community and charity work: The former Elizabethton High star and longtime Pro Bowl member has won previous acclaim for efforts to reduce domestic violence and help kids.

Michelle Witten, an emergency room nurse for a Dallas hospital, noted how the couple were inspired to make the Children’s Hospital donation after one of their two sons was hospitalized last year.

“I felt what it was like on the other side (as a parent),” Michelle Witten said. “So this isn’t about us coming back and putting our name on something. It’s more about helping all children.”

Area philanthropist Scott Niswonger – for whom the entire Children’s Hospital is named – warmly praised both Wittens for making the donation.

“Some people always remember their roots, and you are people who do just that,” Niswonger said.

During some post-ceremony remarks, Jason Witten also:

* Admitted it was personally tough for him to deal with the collapse of the 2008 Cowboys, who failed to make the NFL playoffs – amid rumors that he feuded with former teammate Terrell Owens. 

“Anytime you’re brought into the middle of (controversy) as a player, it’s challenging,” Witten said. “But football is mental and you’ve got to be able to fight through tough times. And last year, for me, was one of them. But you just try to be the same player (and move forward). ”

* Moved swiftly to kill any talk of a current Cowboys controversy: recent rumors that Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett had privately chastised Tony Romo, the team’s popular quarterback, for not getting in better physical shape.

“I don’t think Jason made those comments – in fact, I know he didn’t,” Witten said. “It’s just a tough part of this business sometimes, having the media run with things that (aren’t accurate). Tony works hard. He’s got the right approach, and I don’t think anyone inside the organization is challenging that.”

n Said he remains on great terms with the UT football program, despite the awkward departure of friend and longtime Vols head coach Phillip Fulmer after last season – and the arrival of new coach Lane Kiffin, who has annoyed some with his brash style.

“Of course, I’m grateful and thankful to coach Fulmer for everything he did for me,” Witten said. “But a new era has begun and I’ll withhold judgment (on coach Kiffin) and see how they do. He’s certainly got a lot of energy and passion – and a great coaching staff, too. And he’s welcomed former players like me and allowed us to be a part of the program. That’s very generous of him, and we’re all supporting him.”

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