Witten Named Starter At Bristol

Playing football for the Tennessee Vols and the Dallas Cowboys is big.

However, for a man who grew up in Elizabethton, Tenn., just 15 miles from the Bristol Motor Speedway, it doesn't get any better than being named the starter for the sold-out Food City 500.

No wonder Cowboys and former Tennessee Vols tight end Jason Witten is excited about being named Thursday as the Honorary Starter for the big race on Sunday, March 16.

Witten, who was nominated for the NFL Man of the Year in 2007, said he is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I'm really excited about it," Witten said. "It's great to be coming home and I really can't wait to get out to the Speedway.”

Witten said the races in Bristol have always been a big deal.

“Growing up there, there was no way you didn't know just how huge those races were,” he said. “For me to be able to go back there and be asked to wave the green flag for the Food City 500,that means a lot. It's truly a tremendous honor.”

Witten, 25, was a standout at Elizabethton High School and was the USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee in 2000 before signing with the University of Tennessee. He entered the NFL draft after his junior year.

In 2003, Witten was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys and became an instant star. One of the premier tight ends in the NFL, Witten finished the 2007 season with 96 catches and 1,145 yards, setting a new Cowboys' single-season record for receptions in a season.

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