Dallas Cowboy Great Hanging Up The Cleats for the Booth

The Associated Press reported from ESPN early Friday afternoon that Dallas Cowboy standout tight end Jason Witten is retiring from the NFL.

Witten was a 15 year veteran for the Dallas Cowboys, and is planning to be the head analyst for ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast.

ESPN said, "Witten planned to meet with owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Friday before making the move official." Spokesman of the Dallas Cowboys, Rich Dalrymple, said the team had no comment to make on the matter.

The news could definitely affect the direction the Dallas Cowboys look to go in with the second day of the NFL Draft starting Friday evening. The Dallas Cowboys were originally under the impression that Jason Witten was going to attempt to play until he was 40 years old. Witten turns 36  in early May.

This will be the second straight year that a Dallas Cowboy great is hanging up the cleats and taking their talents to the broadcast booth. Former Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo became the lead analyst for CBS last NFL season.