Screw You Guys, I’m Headed To TV
04 Apr, 2017
Tony Romo has chosen retirement.
Despite interest from at least one playoff-ready NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys legend and four-time Pro Bowler is set to retire in order to pursue a career in football broadcasting, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Romo was slated to be released by the Cowboys on Tuesday.
The news was first reported by ESPN.
“Tony Romo made the decision after this comes out, after consulting with those close to him, after examining his body and looking at where he is in his career, he decided to step away from football and embrace one of the broadcasting opportunities that he’s had for some time,” Rapoport reported on Good Morning Football on Tuesday.
Romo’s decision comes amid a tumultuous period in his career both emotionally and health-wise. Romo appeared in just five games over the past two seasons due to a twice-broken collarbone and broken back. In both cases, he still managed to claw his way onto the field for at least one appearance. Rapoport reported that injury concerns — specifically the durability of his back — were a factor in Romo’s choice to step away.
This time, however, the Cowboys had rookie star Dak Prescott firmly entrenched in his old job.
During a news conference in November, Romo essentially surrendered the gig that he had held on a regular basis since 2006, he foreshadowed a comeback season elsewhere. He talked about his desire to play football at a high level again.
“If you think for a second that I don’t want to be out there, than you’ve probably never felt the ecstasy of competing and winning,” Romo said. “That hasn’t left me. In fact, it may burn more now than ever. It’s not always easy to watch and I think anyone who has been in this position understands that.”
That took a back seat to health concerns. As Rapoport had reported previously, both Fox and NBC came at the quarterback. CBS was eyeing Romo as a replacement for long-time color analyst Phil Simms for their prime Sunday games. The affable and well-spoken Romo would be an obvious choice as the next great player-analyst.
Romo will finish his Cowboys career as the franchise leader in passing yards (34,183), touchdowns (248) and, most notably, winning drives. Romo’s 30 game-winning drives is seven better than fellow Cowboys legend Roger Staubach and nine more than Troy Aikman.
NFL.com
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