For Tony Romo, Let’s Wear #9 One More Time
By Reid Hanson
Tony Romo has done some amazing things for this Dallas Cowboys franchise over the last decade. Let’s honor him this Sunday by proudly wearing #9 one more time.
The inevitability of the decision didn’t make it any easier. Not on the Cowboys coaches, front office staff, Cowboys Nation, and especially not on Tony Romo himself.
Following the epic event in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jerry Jones said aloud what we already knew: Dak Prescott will remain the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys making the now-healthy Tony Romo the veteran back-up.
Tony Romo himself addressed the world on Tuesday, giving his first statement since the preseason. In it he spoke of the man who took over his starting job this season, Dak Prescott.
"“He has earned the right to be our quarterback,” Romo said of Dak. “As hard as that is for me to say, he has earned that right.”"
Romo was honest and gracious in his prepared speech. He admitted his heartbreak, saying he was in a “dark place”, but offered his support as he reminisced about the support he once received when he became the starting QB:
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"“I remember like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life,” Romo said. “And if I remember one thing from back then, it’s the people that helped me along when I was young. And if I can be that to Dak, I’ve tried to be and I will be going forward.”"
Like an ex wishing a former lover nothing but happiness, Tony Romo was both broken-hearted and happy for his teammates –all at the same time.
The room was somber.
"“I think we all know something magical is happening with this team. I’m not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by becoming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back, and I think I know he has mine.”"
Unless Dak Prescott falls to injury, Tony Romo will probably never take another snap as a Dallas Cowboys QB again. He’s going to be wearing a different uniform next season, that fact is unavoidable. And as exciting as it is to usher in the new kids, it’s beyond sad to see our gunslinger go like this.
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Regardless if you’re a Romo lover, hater, or somewhere in between, you have to respect everything that undrafted free agent from Eastern Illinois has accomplished in our fair city. He almost single-handedly pulled this proud franchise out of the post-Aikman gutter. He gave Cowboys Nation something to be excited about after suffering through a litany of has-beens and never-would-bes.
He carried the Dallas Cowboys to success and took the bulk of the blame when others couldn’t carry their weight.
The Tony Romo story is soon ending for #9. Maybe it’s time we all show a little unified respect for the man who gave his all for our beloved team. It’s not going to be easy for Tony Romo to run out of that tunnel as the back-up QB, but maybe if he sees a sea of #9 jerseys in the stands, it will make it sting just a little less.
As a certain “TO” once said, “That’s my quarterback”. Indeed, Tony Romo is our quarterback so let’s all wear #9 just one more time.
Next: A Tribute to the Brilliance of Tony Romo
"“I feel like we all have two battles, or two enemies going on: one with the man across from you, the second with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you really doesn’t matter.” – Tony Romo"