Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tony Romo

Discover the career path of Tony Romo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tony Romo is a former American football quarterback, playing 13 seasons in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Eastern Illinois, winning the Walter Payton Award in 2002. Romo joined the Cowboys in 2003 as an undrafted free agent.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1996: Romo Becomes Starting Quarterback

In 1996, Tony Romo began his tenure as the starting quarterback for the Burlington High School Demons as a junior.

1998: Romo's High School Achievements

In 1998, Tony Romo excelled in both football and basketball at Burlington High School, earning All-Racine County honors alongside Caron Butler. He was scouted by mid-major basketball programs and concluded his basketball career with a school-record 1,080 points, before graduating.

2000: Romo's Sophomore Season at Eastern Illinois

In 2000, as a sophomore at Eastern Illinois University, Tony Romo ranked second in Division I-AA in passing efficiency, completing 164 of 278 passes for 2,583 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was named an All-America honorable mention, an All-Ohio Valley Conference member, and the OVC Player of the Year.

2003: Signs with the Dallas Cowboys

In 2003, Tony Romo signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent, after not initially receiving an invitation to the NFL Combine but attending as an extra quarterback. He entered training camp third on the depth chart.

2003: Cowboys Clinch Playoff Spot

Tony Romo aided the Cowboys in clinching a playoff spot in 2003, their second since Bill Parcells became coach. Romo ended the regular season with impressive stats, including 220 completions, 2,903 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and a 95.1 passer rating.

2004: Preseason Game Winning Touchdown

In 2004, Tony Romo rushed for the winning touchdown in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders as the third-string quarterback.

2004: Cowboys Quarterback Roster Changes

In 2004, the Dallas Cowboys released Chad Hutchinson, signed veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde, and traded for Drew Henson. Tony Romo faced being cut from the roster until Quincy Carter was released following allegations of substance abuse.

2004: Romo's Annual Youth Football Camp Started

Tony Romo has hosted a youth football camp in Burlington, Wisconsin, annually during the summer, since 2004.

2005: Romo as Holder

In 2005, Tony Romo continued as the holder for placekicks for the Dallas Cowboys. The team also signed veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe after Vinny Testaverde's departure.

2005: Elevated to Second Quarterback

In 2005, Tony Romo was elevated to the Cowboys' second quarterback.

2006: Resumes Holding Duties

In a game against the San Diego Chargers in 2009, Tony Romo resumed holding duties for the first time since 2006 due to missed kicks.

2006: Saints Offer Draft Pick for Romo

In the 2006 offseason, the New Orleans Saints, under head coach Sean Payton, offered a third-round draft pick for Tony Romo, which was refused by Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones.

2006: Romo's 2006 Season Stats

Tony Romo concluded the 2006 season ranked seventh in the NFC in passing yards (2,903) and touchdown passes (19).

2007: Cowboys Season and Pro Bowl Nomination

Tony Romo finished the 2007 season with 4,211 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the Cowboys to the top of the NFC East with a 13–3 record and a playoff berth. He also earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.

2009: Cowboys win first divisional title since 2009

In 2009, Romo lead the Cowboys to a 12-4 record and their first divisional title since 2009.

2009: Record-Breaking Season

Tony Romo finished the 2009 season as the first quarterback in team history to take every snap for a full season, setting a new record for single season passing yardage with 4,483 yards.

March 29, 2013: Cowboys sign Romo to six-year extension

On March 29, 2013, the Cowboys signed Romo to a six-year contract extension worth $108 million, including $55 million guaranteed and $25 million in bonuses, securing him for the majority of his career and relieving salary cap constraints.

2013: Romo Hosts Youth Football Camp

As of 2013, Tony Romo hosted a youth football camp in Burlington, Wisconsin, annually during the summer.

2015: Romo finishes 3rd in MVP voting and ranked 34th on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2015, Romo led the NFL in completion percentage and passer rating en route to the NFC East title. He finished tied for 3rd in MVP voting. He was ranked 34th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015. He was the highest undrafted player on the year's list.

January 1, 2017: Romo's Final Play in NFL

On January 1, 2017, Romo made his season debut in the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. In what would prove to be the final play of his career, Romo threw a three-yard touchdown to Terrance Williams before Mark Sanchez played for the rest of the game.

April 4, 2017: Romo Announces Retirement from NFL

On April 4, 2017, Tony Romo officially announced his retirement from the NFL, marking the end of his professional football career.

2017: Romo Receives Praise as Broadcaster

Once the 2017 NFL season got underway, Tony Romo received critical praise for his work as a recent ex-player, most notably for his ability to predict offensive plays and read defensive formations from the booth.

2018: Romo and Nantz call Super Bowl LIII

In 2018, Romo and Nantz called Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. Romo and Nantz received further acclaim for their broadcasting of the 2018 AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots.

2018: Romo Appears in Corona Commercials

In 2018, Tony Romo filled the vacancy of Jon Gruden in Corona's "Corona Hotline" commercials, featuring his fantasy football advice.

February 2020: Romo Renews CBS Contract

In February 2020, Tony Romo renewed his contract with CBS through 2030, becoming one of the highest-paid personnel in sports broadcasting.

2021: Romo faces broadcasting criticism and CBS intervention

During the 2021 NFL season, Tony Romo faced increased criticism of his broadcasting ability. Following the season, CBS staged an intervention believing that Romo's analysis had begun to regress.

2022: Criticism of Romo's broadcasting increases further

In 2022, criticism of Romo's broadcasting increased further during his sixth year as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for CBS. His analysis was described as inane, obvious, and sometimes nonsensical.

2030: Romo's CBS contract renewed through 2030

In February 2020, Tony Romo renewed his contract with CBS through 2030, with the network reportedly paying Romo $17 million per year making Romo one of the highest-paid personnel in sports broadcasting and "the highest-paid NFL analyst in television history."