History of Tony Romo in Timeline

Tony Romo is a retired American football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the NFL, all with the Dallas Cowboys. Before his NFL career, he played college football at Eastern Illinois University. Despite winning the Walter Payton Award in 2002, Romo went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft but was signed by the Cowboys as a free agent.

1960: Romo Surpasses Passing Yards Record for First 100 Starts

By his 100th career start in 2013, Tony Romo had amassed 27,485 passing yards, surpassing the previous record for most passing yards by a quarterback in their first 100 starts since 1960.

April 21, 1980: Birth of Tony Romo

Antonio Ramiro Romo was born on April 21, 1980. He would later become an American football quarterback, playing 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.

1983: Danny White Sets Cowboys' Season Touchdown Record

In 1983, Danny White set the Dallas Cowboys' season touchdown record with 29 touchdown passes.

1996: Starting Quarterback in High School

In the 1996 season, Tony Romo began his role as the starting quarterback for the Burlington High School Demons.

1997: High School Football Honors

Tony Romo earned several honors during the 1997 season, including All-Racine County football team and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State first team.

1998: Graduation and Basketball Record

Tony Romo graduated from Burlington High School in 1998, holding the all-time scoring record for the varsity basketball team with 1,080 points.

2000: Sophomore Success at Eastern Illinois

As a sophomore in 2000, Tony Romo ranked second in Division I-AA in passing efficiency and received several honors, including OVC Player of the Year.

2000: Dallas Cowboys' Quarterback Changes

In 2000, the Dallas Cowboys experienced several quarterback changes, eventually leading to Tony Romo's emergence as a key player on the team.

2001: Ohio Valley Conference Championship Appearance

In 2001, Tony Romo led the Eastern Illinois Panthers to an Ohio Valley Conference championship appearance. This was a significant milestone in his college football career.

October 14, 2002: OVC Player of the Week

On October 14, 2002, Tony Romo earned OVC Player of the Week honors after leading Eastern Illinois to a 25-24 win over Eastern Kentucky.

December 19, 2002: Walter Payton Award Winner

On December 19, 2002, Tony Romo became the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award.

2003: Playoff Spot Clinched

In 2003, Tony Romo helped the Dallas Cowboys clinch a playoff spot, their second since Bill Parcells became coach.

2003: Undrafted Free Agent Signing

In 2003, despite not being drafted, Tony Romo signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent, marking the start of his professional career.

2003: Signed by Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003. This marked the beginning of his NFL career.

2004: Third-String Quarterback Highlight

In 2004, Tony Romo rushed for the winning touchdown with six seconds left in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, a highlight of his early career.

2004: Attempt to Qualify for EDS Byron Nelson Championship

Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship in 2004 but did not succeed.

2004: Start of Youth Football Camp

Tony Romo started hosting a youth football camp in Burlington, Wisconsin in 2004.

2005: Elevation to Second Quarterback

In 2005, Tony Romo was elevated to the position of second quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, reflecting his progress within the team.

2005: Attempt to Qualify for U.S. Open

Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open in 2005 but did not make the cut.

2006: Romo Throws for Career-High Yards, Resumes Holding Duties

During the 2006 season, Tony Romo achieved a career-high 392 passing yards in a game against the New York Giants. He also resumed holding duties for field goals and extra points after the Cowboys experienced issues with their regular holder.

2006: Became Primary Starter

In 2006, Tony Romo became the primary starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, marking the start of a new era for the team.

2006: Strong Season Performance

In 2006, Tony Romo finished the season ranked seventh in the NFC in passing yards and touchdown passes, showcasing his strong performance.

January 6, 2007: NFC Wild Card Round

On January 6, 2007, Tony Romo fumbled the snap during a critical field goal attempt in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks, leading to a loss for the Cowboys.

September 2007: NFC Offensive Player of the Month

In September 2007, Tony Romo earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors, following several strong performances, including against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

November 2007: Start of Relationship with Jessica Simpson

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson began dating in November 2007.

December 16, 2007: Relationship with Jessica Simpson and Game Attendance

Jessica Simpson attended a Dallas Cowboys game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 16, 2007, where Romo had a poor performance.

2007: Romo Leads Cowboys to Playoffs, Earns Pro Bowl Nomination

In 2007, Tony Romo led the Dallas Cowboys to a 13-3 record and a playoff berth. He also had an impressive season statistically, throwing for 4,211 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl nomination.

2007: Romo Sets Cowboys' Record for 300-Yard Passing Games

In 2007, Tony Romo set a Dallas Cowboys' record with eight 300-yard passing games in a single season.

2007: 2007 Pro Bowl Appearance

Tony Romo played in the 2007 Pro Bowl after being a substitution for Marc Bulger. He threw a touchdown and an interception and served as the NFC's kickoff holder.

2008: Candice Crawford Crowned Miss Missouri USA

Candice Crawford was crowned Miss Missouri USA in 2008.

2008: Failed Qualification for Byron Nelson Championship

Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the Byron Nelson Championship again in 2008 but was unsuccessful.

July 9, 2009: Breakup with Jessica Simpson

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson broke up on July 9, 2009, the night before Simpson's 29th birthday.

July 13, 2009: Breakup with Jessica Simpson Reported

On July 13, 2009, People magazine reported that Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson had ended their relationship a few days prior.

October 17, 2009: Jersey Retirement and Hall of Fame Induction

During homecoming weekend on October 17, 2009, Eastern Illinois University retired Tony Romo's No. 17 jersey and inducted him into EIU's Hall of Fame.

2009: Romo Leads Cowboys to Division Title After Injury Comeback

In 2014, Tony Romo led the Dallas Cowboys to a 12-4 record and their first NFC East title since 2009. This accomplishment came after Romo returned from a back injury sustained mid-season.

2009: Start of Relationship with Candice Crawford

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford started dating in the summer of 2009.

2009: Romo Sets Cowboys' Records for Passing Yards and Touchdowns

Tony Romo had a historic season in 2009, becoming the first quarterback in Dallas Cowboys' history to play every snap in a season. He also set franchise records for passing yards (4,483) and became the first Cowboys quarterback to throw for more than 20 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season.

December 16, 2010: Engagement to Candice Crawford

Tony Romo proposed to Candice Crawford on December 16, 2010.

December 21, 2010: Romo Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Tony Romo's 2010 season was cut short on December 21st, when he suffered a broken left clavicle during a game against the New York Giants. The injury landed him on injured reserve, and he was replaced by backup Jon Kitna for the remainder of the season.

May 28, 2011: Marriage to Candice Crawford

Tony Romo married Candice Crawford, a former Miss Missouri USA and journalist, on May 28, 2011.

2011: Romo Ranked in NFL Top 100 Despite Injury

Despite missing significant time due to injury in 2010, Tony Romo was still recognized for his talent and impact on the field. He was ranked 72nd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011, a list voted on by his peers.

2011: Romo Leads Four Fourth-Quarter Comebacks

Tony Romo displayed his resilience and clutch performance abilities in 2011, leading the Dallas Cowboys to four fourth-quarter comebacks during the season.

2011: Romo Leads League in Touchdown Contribution Percentage

Tony Romo was a key offensive force for the Dallas Cowboys in 2011, accounting for 32 of the team's 39 touchdowns (82.1%). This high percentage of touchdown responsibility was the highest in the league that season.

2011: Romo Achieves High Quarterback Rating, Ranks Second in Cowboys History

Tony Romo's 2011 season saw him post an impressive 102.5 quarterback rating, the fourth-highest in the league that year. This rating also placed him second in Dallas Cowboys' history for single-season quarterback rating.

April 9, 2012: Birth of First Son

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford welcomed their first son, Hawkins Crawford Romo, on April 9, 2012.

2012: Romo Ranked Among Top Quarterbacks

Heading into the 2012 season, Tony Romo was highly regarded for his abilities as a quarterback. NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as the ninth-best quarterback in the league.

2012: Romo Leads League in Interceptions, Cowboys Miss Playoffs Again

Tony Romo's 2012 season was marked by both individual highs and team disappointments. While he threw for an impressive number of touchdowns and led the league with five fourth-quarter comebacks, he also threw a league-leading 19 interceptions. The Cowboys finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

2012: Romo Ranked in NFL Top 100

Tony Romo's performance in 2011 earned him recognition as one of the league's top players. He was ranked 91st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012, as voted on by his fellow players.

March 29, 2013: Romo Signs Six-Year Contract Extension with Cowboys

On March 29, 2013, Tony Romo signed a significant six-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys worth $108 million. The deal included $55 million guaranteed and secured Romo's future with the team for the long term.

April 2013: Romo Undergoes Back Surgery

In April 2013, Tony Romo underwent back surgery to address a cyst. Although the procedure was considered minor, it caused him to miss the Cowboys' offseason training activities, including mini-camp and OTAs.

December 27, 2013: Romo Undergoes Season-Ending Back Surgery, Cowboys Miss Playoffs

Tony Romo's 2013 season ended on December 27th when he underwent back surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. With backup Kyle Orton at the helm, the Dallas Cowboys lost their final game and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

2013: Youth Football Camp and Community Involvement

As of 2013, Tony Romo has been hosting a youth football camp in Burlington, Wisconsin each summer since 2004. He also dedicates his time to community initiatives in the Dallas area with organizations like the United Way, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the SPCA.

2013: Highest Fourth-Quarter Passer Rating

By 2013, Tony Romo held the highest fourth-quarter passer rating among all NFL quarterbacks, showcasing his clutch performance.

March 18, 2014: Birth of Second Son

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford's second son, Rivers Romo, was born on March 18, 2014.

2014: Romo Ranked Among NFL Top 100 Players

Despite his injury-shortened 2013 season, Tony Romo was still recognized as one of the league's top players. He was ranked 71st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list, as voted on by his peers.

2015: Start of 2015 Season and Collarbone Injury

Tony Romo began the 2015 season with a win against the New York Giants, but later suffered a broken collarbone during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, sidelining him for eight weeks.

2015: Romo Leads NFL in Completion Percentage and Passer Rating

Tony Romo had a stellar 2015 season, leading the NFL in both completion percentage and passer rating. His outstanding performance earned him a third-place finish in the MVP voting, further solidifying his status as one of the league's premier quarterbacks.

2015: Final Season as Starter

Tony Romo's tenure as the primary starter for the Dallas Cowboys ended in 2015. He led the team to four postseason appearances during this period.

2016: Retirement and New Career

After a preseason back injury in 2016, Tony Romo lost his starting position and decided to retire. He then became the lead color analyst for CBS Sports' NFL telecasts.

2016: Maverick for a Day

After retiring from the NFL in 2016, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban invited Tony Romo to be a "Maverick for a day" for their final home game. Romo warmed up and sat on the bench in uniform but did not play.

2016: Back Injury and Missed Season Start

Tony Romo suffered a back injury during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, causing him to miss the first 10 games of the 2016 season. Rookie Dak Prescott took over as starting quarterback.

January 1, 2017: Season Debut and Final Game

After recovering from injury, Tony Romo made his season debut on January 1, 2017, against the Philadelphia Eagles. This game marked the final play of his career, where he threw a touchdown pass to Terrance Williams.

April 4, 2017: Retirement from the NFL

Tony Romo announced his retirement from the NFL on April 4, 2017, and was subsequently released by the Dallas Cowboys at his request.

August 23, 2017: Birth of Third Son

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford's third son, Jones McCoy Romo, was born on August 23, 2017.

2017: Broadcasting Career Begins

Tony Romo began his broadcasting career in 2017 and quickly received praise for his analysis, particularly his ability to predict plays and read defenses.

February 2018: Sponsor's Exemption and PGA Tour Debut

Tony Romo received a sponsor's exemption to compete in the PGA Tour's Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in February 2018.

July 2018: American Century Championship Victory

Tony Romo won the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament, in July 2018.

2018: Corona Commercials

Beginning in 2018, Tony Romo became part of Corona's advertising campaigns, appearing in their "Corona Hotline" commercials and sharing his fantasy football insights.

2018: Acclaim for Broadcasting the AFC Championship

Tony Romo and Jim Nantz received significant acclaim for their broadcasting of the 2018 AFC Championship, with Romo's accurate predictions garnering attention. They also called Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta that season.

February 2020: Lucrative Contract Renewal with CBS

Tony Romo signed a contract extension with CBS in February 2020, securing his position as a broadcaster through 2030 with a reported annual salary of $17 million, making him one of the highest-paid analysts in sports broadcasting history.

December 7, 2021: Induction to College Football Hall of Fame

On December 7, 2021, Tony Romo was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2021 class.

2021: Induction to College Football Hall of Fame

In 2021, Tony Romo was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding college career.

2021: Criticism of Broadcasting Style

Tony Romo faced increasing criticism for his broadcasting style during the 2021 NFL season, with some pointing out excessive talking, confusing anecdotes, and a perceived decline in his game analysis.

2022: Increased Criticism and Speculation

Criticism of Tony Romo's broadcasting continued into the 2022 season, with some observers noting a decline in his ability to accurately predict plays and a tendency to make extraneous comments during games.