From KERA News:
Romo came at a time when the Cowboys were starving for a quarterback. It was then head coach Bill Parcells who gave Romo his first shot back in 2006.
Romo landed with the team without being drafted from Eastern Illinois University in 2003 — and eventually took over the position.
Team owner Jerry Jones once called the discovery of Romo “a miracle” in an infamous viral video at a bar. Romo quickly won over the fanbase with flashy play and a charming smile. Like when he made the Jimmy Kimmel Show’s “Handsome Men Club.”
A ‘consummate professional’
In his 10 years as starting quarterback, Romo broke the records of team greats: Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. His Hispanic background also endeared him to a North Texas’s large Latino population. Like Cowboys fan Joseph Lopez.
“You know, Tony is a consummate professional. He’s a guy that everybody should look up and appreciate. I’m a big fan. I feel like there’s not enough Hispanic quarterbacks in the NFL. But I think Tony’s been a pro the entire time.”
Though, it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for Romo in Dallas. He had a reputation for letdowns in big moments.
Like a botched field goal snap in 2006 that kept them from advancing in the playoffs — a trip to Cabo, Mexico with then girlfriend Jessica Simpson during the playoffs — and throwing costly interceptions to lose games.
In the end, it was injuries that caused him to miss significant playing time over the past five years. He punctured a lung, broke his collarbone twice and a bone in his back.
