Dallas Cowboys: Thanking Tony Romo for the memories

As Tony Romo, when you know you’re the best man for the job but the Dallas Cowboys won’t let you compete for the position, what are your options?

This should be easy to discuss, but I stared at a blinking cursor on my computer screen for hours. The most prolific passer in the history of the Dallas Cowboys – quarterback Tony Romo – has retired. After 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdowns, the great #9 has decided to hang up his cleats. The ending to his career could have, would have, should have been completely different.

For this horrific version to become a reality, a giant foam finger is pointed at Cowboys’ owner and general manager (I like saying: general mismanager) Jerry Jones. Until last season, I was a Jerry Jones apologist because I believed Jones truly wanted to win.

The decision to bench our Pro Bowl-caliber, healthy veteran quarterback will top my list of Jones’ epic decisions in Cowboys History. We weren’t going to win a championship with a rookie quarterback.

Caution – The things discussed in the next paragraph tends to upset some members of Cowboy Nation. I suggest sharing this article before continuing – just in case you feel like punching your computer screen or throwing your mobile device.

A quick review of other Jones’ failed epic decisions starts with the firing of legendary Cowboys great – Head Coach Tom Landry. There’s the firing of Head Coach Jimmy Johnson after multiple Super Bowl victories. There’s the release of the greatest running back in NFL history after 13 seasons – Emmitt Smith – for Troy Hambrick.

More from The Landry Hat

Trading away three draft picks for wide receiver Roy Williams. Trading away two first round draft picks for wide receiver Joey Galloway. The seasons with the following starting quarterbacks: Randall Cunningham, Anthony Wright, Quincy Carter, Ryan Leaf, Clint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe.

In this era of NFL free agency, a part of me is happy that Tony Romo gets to retire without playing for other teams at the end of his career. In an interview, Romo said that he didn’t want to join other teams at the end of his career.

It’s unfortunate that his career is similar to someone 34 years old with 13 years at one company that discovers his new boss is a 22 year old, inexperienced, recent college graduate. When you know you’re the best man for the job but the company won’t let you compete for the position, what are your options? Early retirement?

I knew Tony Romo was going to retire when he picked up his golf clubs to enter the Azalea Invitational tournament. I love golf and play every chance I get – even if you don’t live near a golf course, you’ve probably found some of the golf balls I’ve played with. I never said I was great at it – FIGJAM.

When Romo gave up golf to maintain his health and focus on helping the Cowboys, that was a major sacrifice that’s just hard to explain to non-golfers. Imagine Imelda Marcos voluntarily eliminating her shoe closet or Metallica, Van Halen and Led Zepplin taking a vow of celibacy before going on tour – Yeah, it’s that serious.

Romo is and always has been a class act on and off the field. I could eat ribs with that dude! His return to golf though was a dead giveaway to his retirement. I will be enjoying Romo’s highlights on YouTube – how he hit receivers in stride, his accuracy as he threw cruise missiles around the field and destroyed NFL defenses even with the subpar talent around him and horrific front office mismanagement.

Next: Ranking Tony Romo’s Best Seasons In Dallas

It has been an absolute pleasure to watch him work. Tony Romo, thanks for the memories – you’ll be great in the booth. That’s still my quarterback – #Forever9

#GoCowboys

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