Tony Romo

Tony Romo
Keith Allison · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Tony Romo
Birth date	April 21, 1980
Birth place	Burlington, Wisconsin
Height	6 ft 2 in
Weight	230 lb
College	Eastern Illinois University
NFL draft year	2003
NFL draft round	Undrafted

Tony Romo is a former National Football League quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2004 to 2015. Born in Burlington, Wisconsin, Romo grew up in a family of Green Bay Packers fans, but he would eventually become a key player for the Dallas Cowboys. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he played college football and was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. Romo's college career was marked by his impressive performances, earning him the Walter Payton Award in 2002, an award also won by Steve McNair and Kurt Warner.

● Early Life and Education

Romo was born to Ramiro Romo Jr. and Joan Romo in Burlington, Wisconsin, and he has an older brother, Mark Romo. He attended Burlington High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball, and was a teammate of Kenosha Bradford High School's Jim McLaughlin. Romo's athletic abilities earned him a scholarship to Eastern Illinois University, where he studied Business Administration and played football under coach Bob Spoo. During his time at Eastern Illinois University, Romo was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and was also a two-time recipient of the Ohio Valley Conference's Player of the Year award, joining the likes of Murray State University's Isaac Shelton and Tennessee State University's Riley Walker.

● Professional Career

Romo's professional career began in 2003 when he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He spent his first two seasons as a backup quarterback to Quincy Carter and Vinny Testaverde, but eventually became the team's starting quarterback in 2006. During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Romo played alongside notable players such as Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, and DeMarcus Ware. He led the team to several playoff appearances, including a NFC East division title in 2009, and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, joining the likes of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. Romo's career was also marked by his performances against rival teams, including the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.

● Broadcasting Career

After retiring from football in 2017, Romo transitioned to a career in broadcasting, joining CBS Sports as a color commentator. He has worked alongside play-by-play announcers such as Jim Nantz and Ian Eagle, and has provided commentary for several high-profile games, including the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship Game. Romo's broadcasting career has been marked by his ability to provide insightful analysis and predictions, earning him praise from fans and critics alike, including Sports Illustrated's Peter King and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. He has also worked with other notable broadcasters, including Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, and Al Michaels, and has covered games featuring teams such as the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams.

● Personal Life

Romo is married to Candice Crawford, a former Miss Missouri USA winner and sister of Chace Crawford. The couple has three sons, Hawkins Crawford Romo, Rivers Romo, and Jones McCoy Romo. Romo is also an avid golfer and has participated in several celebrity golf tournaments, including the American Century Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, alongside notable golfers such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Jordan Spieth. He has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including the United Service Organizations and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and has worked with other notable philanthropists, including Jerry Jones and Roger Staubach.

● Awards and Accolades

Throughout his career, Romo has received numerous awards and accolades, including four Pro Bowl selections and a Second-Team All-Pro nomination. He was also named the NFL passer rating leader in 2014 and was a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s, joining the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees. Romo's broadcasting career has also been recognized, as he was named the Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality - Analyst in 2019, an award also won by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. He has also been nominated for several other awards, including the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association's Sportscaster of the Year award, alongside notable broadcasters such as Mike Tirico and Joe Buck.