Tony Romo: The Dallas Cowboys Ultimate Underdog

It never fails to amaze me the criticism and scrutiny that Romo goes through. He is one of America’s most hated athletes, which I find ironic. America loves underdog stories and Romo is the ultimate underdogs. Since he plays for the Cowboys though, he gets a lot of unwarranted hate rather than the underdog glory. If Romo played for any other team, he would be one of America’s favourite quarterbacks

Going into his 7th season as a starter, Tony Romo has made quite a reputation for himself. He has been a phenomenal quarterback for the Cowboys for the most part. However his main criticism is his lack of success late in the season. This often leads to people diminishing his accomplishments and underrating the Dallas Cowboys quarterback.

This article isn’t going to be about the constant drama revolving Romo’s career. Instead, I will be celebrating Romo’s accomplishment and presenting a new perspective on his career.

As an undrafted free agent, not many knew of Romo when he came to Dallas in 2003. He played for Eastern Illinois, a little known college. Most people thought he was just going to be another camp body that would come and go. If he wanted to make it on the team, he had to prove he was better than Quincy Carter, Drew Henson, and Vinny Testaverde. In a surprised series of events, Quincy Carter was released and Romo would make it on the roster.

Romo made the roster, but expectations weren’t very high for the young undrafted quarterback. He was now the third string quarterback. Romo would work his way to become the second string quarterback in 2005. Finally, halfway through 2006, Romo got a chance.

Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Against the New York Giants, the little-known quarterback was given his first chance. Romo would replace Drew Bledsoe in the second half of the game. He would never look back and has now been the Cowboys starter for over seven years. He would be elected to three pro bowls and has the fifth highest QB rating of all time. Romo went from an undrafted free agent from a small school to a pro bowl caliber quarterback. He has quite the underdog story, but it’s not over yet. Even to this day he is still an underdog.

Now Romo is challenged by a problem that differs from his younger days. His roster spot is secure, but the expectations mounted on him are grand. The goal has always been Super Bowl, but due to his late season struggles many believe Romo doesn’t have what it takes to win it all.

It doesn’t help that the team that surrounds Romo isn’t a championship caliber team. Romo has a weak offensive line, an unreliable defense, and an ineffective running game to support him. The odds do not look good, but this is just another uphill battle in Romo’s career

No one thought Romo would make the Cowboy’s roster. Yet here he is now. No one thought Romo would become the starter for the Cowboys. Yet here he is now. No one thinks Romo can win a Super Bowl. The doubters are nothing new to Romo. He has proven them wrong before, and now he’ll get another chance to do so. Until he retires or win a Super Bowl, Romo will be an underdog.