Jon Kitna is a former American football quarterback who played for several teams during his career in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 21, 1972, in Tacoma, Washington, and attended Central Washington University, where he played college football.
Kitna began his professional career in 1996 when he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He spent four seasons with the Seahawks, serving as a backup quarterback for most of his time there. In 2001, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he became the starting quarterback and had some of his best seasons. He led the Bengals to the playoffs in 2005, their first postseason appearance in 15 years.
After his time with the Bengals, Kitna played for several other teams, including the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and San Diego Chargers. He was primarily a backup quarterback during this time, but he did have some notable performances. In 2006, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns while playing for the Lions. In 2010, he started nine games for the Cowboys and helped them make the playoffs.
Throughout his career, Kitna was known for his toughness and leadership. He was a respected teammate and often served as a mentor to younger players. He was also active in the community and was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006 for his charitable work.
After retiring from the NFL in 2012, Kitna became a high school football coach in Tacoma, Washington. He led his alma mater, Lincoln High School, to a state championship in 2014. In 2019, he was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys, where he worked with star quarterback Dak Prescott.
Overall, Jon Kitna had a successful career in the NFL, playing for several teams and earning the respect of his peers and fans. He was a tough and reliable quarterback who was known for his leadership both on and off the field.
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