Jason Witten shares heartfelt farewell message for Tony Romo

Tony Romo's retirement officially brought an end to one of the most effective, yet underrated, passing tandems of this generation.

After taking some time to reflect, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten took to social media Saturday in sharing a message for his longtime quarterback and friend.

It brings a smile to my face knowing that Tony will have more time with his boys as they come of age. I am certain their lives will be better for it, because, with 9 as your pilot, you feel as if you can conquer the world. I know I sure felt that way.

9, I am forever grateful to have had you as my QB. Your God-given talent and ability has positively impacted not just my life, but my entire family. I am proud to call you my dear friend and brother for life.

Thank you for always believing in me, and I wish you all the best in the next chapter - cheers!!

Romo responded in kind later Saturday afternoon.

Witten and Romo - a third-round pick and undrafted free agent, respectively - played 14 years together after arriving in Dallas in 2003.

The two were unquestioned locker-room leaders for the better part of the decade that followed Romo's 2006 ascension to the starting quarterback role, and they certainly had the production to match.

Witten is Dallas' all-time leader in catches, and he'll enter the 2017 season just 16 yards and two touchdowns behind Michael Irvin in the other two major receiving categories.

Romo, having finished his Cowboys career with 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns, sits atop the organization's all-time passing ranks.