Shortly after the Dallas Cowboys used their fourth overall pick to select Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott last month, former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray sent Elliott a text message. We’d imagine the message contained some variant of congratulations, but the heart of the message was: If you want to do things the right way, become Jason Witten’s shadow.
The Cowboys’ all-time single-season rushing leader played with Witten through all four of his seasons in Dallas, and he worked out with the veteran during the offseason as well. In that time, he developed tremendous admiration for Witten.
“Everything and everywhere he goes be there by his side watching and listening,” Murray told Elliott, per ESPN’s Ed Werder. “He will show him the way on and off the field.”
Witten has finally responded to Murray’s comments and, not surprisingly, he was touched.
“People talk about how precious the relationships of teammates are and the brotherhood and bond,” Witten said, per Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas. “I appreciate DeMarco’s kind words not because he said it but the relationship we have. We had a short few years together and we maximized it. A lot of great shared sacrifices together. Ultimately he was able to have an offensive MVP year and I was just a small part of it. But for him to think I could influence it, I think that’s why you invest the way you do. That’s what teammates do.”
