If you asked me to name one of the most-scrutinized players in Dallas Cowboys History, there is no doubt that I’m putting QB Tony Romo in the Top Two. Shoot, I would even consider putting him as number one.
While Romo-stans may disagree, growing up with the highs and lows that Romo brought to fans weekly, it feels like fans didn’t appreciate him until he was gone. One of the most memorable moments was when Romo botched the snap against the Seattle Seahawks in 2007, and it felt everyone wanted to run him out of town.
Through his years, Romo was a guy who left it all on the field, showed grit in every play, and was severely underrated. Fans can point to his miscues and convince others that he was one of the most “overrated” or subpar QBS in franchise history, but you can’t deny the blood, sweat, and tears he had for his team.
While he couldn’t take the team to the Super Bowl (although the 2014 squad should have been in the big game, as we all know what happened with the Dez no-catch call), with Romo, there was a type of magic he had, and you always had a chance.
Although he did give me headaches with some hiccups, Romo was a guy that I loved rallying behind, and to me, he was overlooked behind many talented QBs that he competed against during his playing days.
But for now, we’re not overlooking him and crowning him as the Greatest #9 in franchise history because he rightfully deserves his flowers.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, and look at his career below.
But, also don’t forget to check out the five players who have worn number nine and the one current player who will be wearing the number this season.
He’s already a fan favorite.
Tony Romo’s Football Career
If there was one thing that Dallas Cowboys are known for, it’s turning undrafted free agents into franchise legends. And with Romo, he was one of many that fitted the bill.
After a highly-efficient career at Eastern Illinois, which earned him the Walter Payton Award, Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year (3x), OVC Player of the Year (3x), and All-American Honors (3x), Romo had his sights on the NFL.
But after going undrafted in 2003, his NFL career wouldn’t begin until the 2006 season. And from there, he would be the face of the franchise for over a decade.
As mentioned, Romo was a guy who you would idolize for his miraculous throws and his “Houdini-like” plays that he would perform weekly, but then make that crucial turnover that made you want to pull your hair out.
If you had to ask me what my favorite play was, it’s easily this one below because everything is going wrong for Romo, and what does he do?
Makes. A. Play.
https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX/status/1249768094441959424?s=20&t=wYWGnL_Y9XGxc6N6kZtqyg
While I could flood you with many memories of Romo, from his vintage spin from DE J.J. Watt to his pass in OT versus the 49ers, I rather let you all reminisce over the times when he was the helm.
(Shoot, most fans already do, as they complain about QB Dak Prescott constantly. You know who you all are.)
All jokes aside, Romo was a guy that gave you hope. No matter the odds, he poured his effort onto the field, and it was an adventure living with him at QB. Also, to see him thriving as a color commentator for CBS Sports and hearing his unique insight makes my heart happy.
For the stat-junkies who are curious what records Romo potentially holds, I got you with some of them below:
- Career-passing yards leader (34,183)
- Passing TDs leader (248)
- Games with at least 3 TDs (40)
- Most 4th-Quarter Comebacks/ GW Drives (28)
- 97.1 Passer Rating (9th All-Time)
Congratulations to Mr. Romo, as he’s the Greatest #9 in franchise history. Be on the lookout for Sunday’s piece that crowns another iconic Cowboys QB as the Greatest #8.
Well said!
Emmitt Smith was My favorite all time Dallas Cowboy, til Tony Romo arrived, I rmbr when Tony told the Great Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones about the conditions of His contract before signing and leaving the room, and Coach Parcells turning to Jones in a gritty tone saying “We have Ourselves a Quarterback”
Tony Romo is an all around Class Act! He was the reason Us True Blue fans ALWAYS had a chance. Salute to Greatest #9 of All Time!
Hey Mario, appreciate the comment! Always been a Romo-guy, but I also stand behind Dak. Do I wish Romo could have won the job back? Yes. But it’s the past. I just wish we all appreciated Romo a little bit more when he was leading the Boys.
P.S. That was Tremendous Hit by The Late Great Marion “The Barbarian” Barber
Rest in Paradise #24
So many times beyond the 28 4th quarter / GW drives, if one looks back, he’d given the team the lead in the 4th quarter in the last 2 minutes, and the defense couldn’t hold the lead he’d given them and then he was left with an unwinnable situation. Other than two or three years, if the defense could have been a bit better, maybe the playoff legacy would be better.
If you look back at the games he won with cracked ribs, at wanting to go back into the game with a broken collar bone, and the sheer will to always try to win, only Staubach and Aikman could claim to be any better for the team during their time.
I think he needed a better coach. He was a great QB. The defense let him down a lot of times. I don’t think Dac will ever be as good of a QB as Tony
one tough player , he played with a punctured lung against SF 49ers and won the game , many times he blundered but gave everything he had to the game and the Cowboys.
Most people only know the ESPN Tony Romo. They were bent on hyping mistakes that were made. Not shown in those ” highlights” was the fact that he was running for his life most of the time. As a fifty year Cowboys fan, I’ve seen it all, as many of you have and he played as well as could with what he had in front of him. He didn’t have the luxury of the Plowboys line that troy had. I will also admit, I didn’t buy his jersey until he left and haven’t added to my collection of 14 different players since.
To let you all know how much of a fan I am of the Cowboys, I waited 20 years for Dallas to stick it to the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX in my home town of Phoenix. That being said … Jerry ??? WTF … When are you going to get another elite defense like the one you had the last time we celebrated a Super Bowl victory? Since that last ring added to the collection, there have been several high ranking offenses and I would not hesitate to say that not one year since that time has there been a defense that has ranked in the top ten overall, although I haven’t checked the stars personally.
Now as for Romo; how many of you remember that his first pass he threw went for a TD … for the Giants to open the third quarter on a Monday Night game of the week. Yea he had his bad throws, but so did all the rest. The difference is that Troy and Roger had a defense that wasn’t questionable at best. Romo’s stat of 4th quarter comebacks is impressive, but if you looked at all the ones the defense gave back after a go ahead score late in the game Romo would be a first ballot Hall of Famer … which he probably won’t get but should get the honor someday.
Watching so one of those replays still give me chills. I really wish parcells had found another holder in ‘06! He didn’t deserve to have that follow him.
Look Roger had Landry. Akeman had the best team and one of the best coaches in football. But Tony had to do so much on his own with bad teams and bad coaches. But he did it every week he gave them a chance to win. Romo is it for cowboys qb’s and that is a fact.