Greg Olsen calls Jason Witten 'the epitome of a pro'

Smack talk in professional sports is so prevalent, it could have its own league. That is what makes it to so refreshing to hear athletes sincerely compliment one another.

Such is the case with Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who had nothing but good things to say about Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

Ahead of the teams’ Turkey Day battle, Olsen recalled to Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer the high regard he has held Witten in since the vet hosted him on a recruiting trip to the University of Tennessee back in 2002:

“I’ve been able to meet him a few times. But he’s a guy I’ve watched from a distance a long time and have an incredible amount of respect for his performance, how he carries himself, how he handles his business,” Olsen said. “He’s the epitome of a pro.”

Olsen said that he kept in touch with Witten — although he played his collegiate career at Miami — and caught up with him at the Pro Bowl a couple years ago.

It remains to be seen if the two will play catch-up ahead of Thursday, when the undefeated Panthers visit AT&T Stadium — a contest in which Olsen is projected to present challenges for the Cowboys' defense.

The game kicks off at 4:30 EST Thanksgiving day.