Witt's time in the NFL ends

By JASON JUNO

sports@yourdailyglobe.com

Jake Witt started 2024 as an Indianapolis Colt. He’s entering 2025 in his new job in Watersmeet, as the Health and Wellness Coach at the Lac Vieux Desert Health Center.

The offensive tackle from Bruce Crossing played in all three preseason games in August, including seeing more extensive action in the second contest. He didn’t make the Colts’ 53-man roster, though, for the regular season. What he did have were multiple practice squad offers, but without the guarantee of a roster spot, he decided to end his pursuit of playing in the NFL.

“I feel very content with my decision,” Witt said to The Globe Thursday.

The risk of injuries, including head injuries, didn’t go away on the practice squad. He described each play on the line as a car crash.

It wasn’t worth the risk for him with an uncertain future in a sport his heart wasn’t fully into anymore.

“It was a very difficult one at first, with lots of consideration to both sides, but at the end of the day I know that my health and well-being is my No, 1 priority,” Witt said. “And taking that into account, it made it an easy decision.”

Even so, he said he will always appreciate his time spent in the NFL.

“I went and did what I wanted to achieve, I stepped out and competed with the best of the best in the world on an NFL field,” Witt said, “I made some great connections and got a great start to life that has helped set me up greatly. But I am very happy to have saved a lot of the wear and tear on my body long term. It was the best-of-both-worlds decision for me.”

Witt’s road to the NFL was a remarkable story.

He played just two years of high school football and didn’t play it again until he transferred to Northern Michigan University where he eventually took up the sport. He only moved from tight end to offensive tackle because of an injury. He was so good there in just over a season at the position that he declared for the NFL Draft after graduating. Witt then wow’d the scouts with his size (6-7, 300) and athleticism for the position. He was taken in the seventh round by the Colts.

Witt made an impression there as well. They kept him through his injury and teams were interested in giving him a spot on the practice squad after he missed out on a roster spot.

“The part about the whole experience that I enjoyed the most was being able to represent our small community on the world’s biggest stage,” Witt said. “I was very proud to be representing the U.P., and I always will be. And having that support while I was going through my journey in the NFL made me feel proud and I always wanted to try to give back to, and remember, the community that made it all happen for me.”

He’s going to keep making an impact at home, where he will take on an important role at the LVD Health Center as a Health and Wellness Coach. His coaching can help in a variety of ways, including to support health goals, “whether it’s feeling better, getting strong or improving your overall wellness,” helping find ways to “address health concerns with sustainable lifestyle changes,” and “provide new ideas and strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he said while promoting his new role online. He also cited his experience in “high-performance athletics and health,” that he’s bringing back to the Upper Peninsula.

“I think one of the best things about being able to work for our community is the ability to give back to the people that make it special,” he told the Globe. “Being from here, I know that there can sometimes be a lack of resources and I want to be somebody that provides resources to people that need them. I’m proud to be from here, and I always will be.

“I’m glad to be back in the area, working for a great organization with great people, and having the ability to be back home, enjoying the U.P. activities that I love most.”

Which means you’ll probably see Jake fishing again.