Is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo a Hall of Famer?
After a 14-year career without a Super Bowl appearance, is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo a future Hall of Famer?
On Tuesday, the football world was rocked by reports that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo intends to retire from the league and pursue a television career as a color commentator. If true, the decision is a significant milestone for America’s Team and likely cements Romo’s legacy, for better and for worse.
With sentiment for Romo at an all-time high, as it should be for the 14-year veteran in Dallas, questions will undoubtedly arise about a possible candidacy for Hall of Fame election. And why shouldn’t they?
Romo’s regular season numbers eclipse both Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. The soon-to-be 37-year old is currently the franchise’s career leader in passing yardage (34,183), passing touchdowns (248) and passer rating (97.1 – 500 attempts or more). And Romo’s career regular season win/loss total of 78-49 proves he’s a winner.
But according to Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin, it’s Romo’s lack of playoff success that will ultimately keep him out of the Hall of Fame.
"“Sixty-nine percent of the 303 Hall of Famers won championships. The selection committee, of which I am a member, seems to favor candidates with rings,” wrote Gosselin on Tuesday. “That’s why the five-time NFL champion Green Bay Packers of the 1960s have 11 players enshrined. That’s why the four-time champion Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s and the three-time champion Cleveland Browns of the 1950s have nine players enshrined apiece. Winners reap the rewards.”"
And although Romo was a winner in the regular season, his lack of playoff victories (2-4 career postseason record) make him an unlikely candidate for Hall of Fame enshrinement. He was only able to lead the Cowboys to the postseason four times during his 14-year career.
Gosselin went on to make an interesting comparison between Romo and one-time Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson.
Like Romo before him, Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. And he had eerily similar numbers to the former Cowboys veteran, throwing for 32,838 yards and 197 touchdowns with a career-passer rating of 81.9 in a 16-year career that spanned from 1971 through 1986.
But the key difference between the two quarterbacks is that fact Anderson was actually named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player back in 1981, leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl that season. It’s been 31-years since Anderson retired from the NFL and he still isn’t in the Hall of Fame. That doesn’t bode well for Romo’s chances, as he was never named MVP or even really close to leading his team to the championship game.
Next: Ranking Tony Romo’s Best Seasons In Dallas
At the end of the day, postseason success alone doesn’t determine if a player becomes a Hall of Famer. It will be up to the members of the selection committee to deem if Tony Romo is worthy of that honor or not. But for Cowboys fans, Romo is certainly one of the greatest players in franchise history. And his legacy amongst them is certainly secure.