Tony Romo has been in the hot seat since his first days as a starter in Dallas, but a recent message confirms he is my QB! by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Only the New York Yankees rival the Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team, in name recognition and a perceived reputation for professional excellence.
Quarterbacks like Don Meredith, Roger Staubach, Danny White, and Troy Aikman set very high standards for both leadership, quarterback skills, and play-maker attributes if you are the play caller for Dallas. Romo, who Terry Bradshaw said "Was only a practice team quarterback,” has set some remarkable records thus far in his young career as the Cowboy thrower. Romo is a guy who can keep a play alive when others might be sacked or would throw the ball away. Still there is some disappointment in Dallas that the Cowboys have not been the team of old. Just this season, when Tony was playing with a fractured rib and punctured lung, the Cowboy Sports media and the national media echoed Bradshaw's criticism. The Cowboys have not been able to climb back atop the NFC East and then put it all together in the championship playoffs that lead to the Bowl.
Now the team that barely beat Dallas to get to the playoffs, the New York Giants, are headed to the Super Bowl. Should give some idea of how close Dallas is to greatness. Every Cowboy fan hopes that they can find their way back to glory, and then know where to give the glory.
But Romo's stats kind of stand on their own. Tony is number 3 on the all-time passer rating list behind Peyton Manning and Steve Young. No one else in front of him, not Joe Montana, not Troy, not Johnny Unitas or Bart Starr. And he is number four on the all times yards per catch list' not even Manning is on that list!
Given those statistics, you might think Tony would have a fairly large ego under that Cowboy hat. But, if you have seen him, listened to him...that ego is pretty disguised, like it doesn't seem to be there. So when someone handed me a DVD to watch a 15-minute Romo interview, I was curious. This interview wasn't by a sports broadcaster. It was by a youthful Christian pastor asking Tony about his faith. And, what I was about to hear told me a lot about who Romo is.
Tony has a way about him. It's not the cocksure, confident, self-impressed style of many professional athletes who realize that their own words are the best sales pitch for their feats on the field. Tony always seems more focused on the subject at hand, always looking to credit others, always almost analytical in the subject he is speaking about. And he was the same way in this interview. Tony said that he first went to a Methodist Church in Wisconsin. He said he went because his parents did. He kind of admitted to not really knowing Jesus until he sought Him out in college. And he credits a small group of friends, led by one, who taught Tony much about Christ and his faith. This small group was not affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or any other group. It was just some guys getting together to learn about God.
When asked about living his Christianity in the secular environment of professional football, Tony didn't have a magic answer or pretend that he was a super evangelist. Instead, he spoke of others in the Cowboy organization who share his faith. He spoke of how it's quietly, but always present.
Romo finished his interview with a really moving story. He said it was during training camp of his second year. Quincy Carter was the returning starter, Vinny Testeverde had been picked up, Drew Henson, a baseball player had been picked up, and Tony was number 4. The Cowboys would only keep three. Tony said the first two days of camp were terrible for him. His performances at practice had been awful, and he felt like he was on an emotional roller coaster. Tony said he was in his hotel room contemplating what was happening; " And I decided right then, that if I was supposed to go back home and be an Asst. Golf Pro, then that was ok with me. I am turning it over to you, God." Your will be done...he didn't say it, but it echoed all over his words.
Tony said he went out the next day and had the best day of practice of his whole life. He said the season started, and just down the road aways, Tony Romo was the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys!
Because Tony is low key, not in anyway a braggart, his words, his unrehearsed words, were so real, so meaningful. This was a man who knew God, knew where his talents came from, and didn't take pride in his accomplishments as if he did it alone. No, this probably isn't the best, most "exciting testimony." But it is Romo. And you know, Tony said during the interview, "Things happen, when they are supposed to happen." I wonder if God heard that...? Tony was saying "in God's time" but in just a different way.
Tim Tebow has caught a lot of media attention, and some criticism for his openness concerning his faith. For those who watch sports, but don't see, boys, you better start looking at the moment’s right after a big moment. Watch players look to heaven, point to heaven. They aren't just Latin players who do that. You will see men pound their chest, and point up...what do you think that's all about?
Leadership is an intangible, as is faith in God. Yet, one can have a tremendous impact on the other. Dallas has had the physical talent to be a playoff contender. Off season moves could bring even more talent where they need it. But, even with talent gains, leadership will be an essential part of Bowl championship. For us Cowboy fans, we hope Tony can be that leader, and hope his faith is the key to that.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 18
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of Mark Vogl only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Mark Vogl is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
