History of Tony Romo in Timeline

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

April 21, 1980: Tony Romo Born

On April 21, 1980, Antonio Ramiro Romo, who would become a professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, was born.

1983: Romo Breaks Touchdown Record

During a Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers in 2007, Tony Romo threw his 33rd touchdown of the season, breaking Danny White's record of 29 from 1983.

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.

1997: Demons Season and Honors

In 1997, Tony Romo and the Burlington High School Demons concluded the season with a 3–6 record. Romo received recognition on the All-Racine County football team and earned Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State first team honors.

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.

October 14, 2002: OVC Player of the Week

On October 14, 2002, Tony Romo was named OVC Player of the Week after leading Eastern Illinois to a 25–24 win over Eastern Kentucky with an eight-yard scramble on the last play of the game.

December 19, 2002: Walter Payton Award

On December 19, 2002, Tony Romo became the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top Division I-AA football player. He finished his career holding school and conference records with 85 touchdown passes.

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: Romo fails to qualify for EDS Byron Nelson Championship

In 2004, Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the EDS Byron Nelson Championship but failed.

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 fails to qualify for U.S. Open

In 2005, Tony Romo attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open but failed.

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).

January 6, 2007: NFC Wild Card Game Fumble

On January 6, 2007, during the NFC Wild Card Round game against the Seattle Seahawks, Tony Romo fumbled the snap on a potential game-winning field goal attempt, leading to a turnover and a loss for the Cowboys.

September 2007: Romo Named NFC Offensive Player of the Month

In September 2007, Tony Romo earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors. During the season-opening game, he threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns against the New York Giants, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He also dealt with his father's prostate cancer diagnosis during this period.

November 2007: Romo Begins Dating Jessica Simpson

In November 2007, Tony Romo began dating American singer and actress Jessica Simpson.

December 16, 2007: Simpson attends Cowboys-Eagles game

On December 16, 2007, Jessica Simpson attended a Dallas Cowboys–Philadelphia Eagles game at Texas Stadium, in which Romo had a bad performance.

2007: Romo Plays in the Pro Bowl

In 2007, Tony Romo participated in the Pro Bowl as a substitute for Marc Bulger, who replaced Drew Brees due to injury. Romo threw a touchdown and an interception and served as the NFC's kickoff holder during the game.

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.

2007: Romo's Past Record

Tony Romo's eight 300-yard games were a team record, surpassing his own record from 2007.

2008: Candice Crawford is Miss Missouri USA

In 2008, Candice Crawford, who later married Tony Romo, was Miss Missouri USA.

2008: Romo fails to make the cut in qualifying for Byron Nelson

In 2008, Tony Romo failed to make the cut in qualifying for Byron Nelson.

July 9, 2009: Romo and Simpson Break Up

On July 9, 2009, Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson broke up, the night before her 29th birthday.

July 13, 2009: People reports Romo and Simpson Break Up

On July 13, 2009, People reported that Romo and Jessica Simpson broke up on July 9, 2009, the night before her 29th birthday.

October 17, 2009: EIU Hall of Fame Induction

On October 17, 2009, Eastern Illinois University retired Tony Romo's No. 17 jersey and inducted him into EIU's Hall of Fame during homecoming weekend. Romo became the first Eastern Illinois player to have his number retired.

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: Romo and Crawford start dating

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

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.

December 16, 2010: Romo and Crawford engaged

Tony Romo and Candice Crawford became engaged on December 16, 2010.

December 21, 2010: Placed on Injured Reserve

On December 21, 2010, Tony Romo was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken left clavicle during a game. He was replaced by Jon Kitna.

May 28, 2011: Romo Marries Candice Crawford

On May 28, 2011, Tony Romo married Candice Crawford, the 2008 Miss Missouri USA.

2011: NFL Top 100 Ranking

Despite his limited playing time due to injury, Tony Romo was ranked 72nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.

2011: Broken Rib and Punctured Lung

During Week 2 of 2011 against the San Francisco 49ers, Tony Romo suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung but returned to the game, leading the Cowboys to a game-tying field goal and an overtime win. He earned the NFC's Offensive player of the Week Award for his performance.

2011: High Quarterback Rating

In 2011, Tony Romo achieved a 102.5 quarterback rating, placing him fourth best in the league and second highest in Cowboys history.

2011: Percentage of Team Touchdowns

In the 2011 NFL season, Tony Romo accounted for 82.1% of the Dallas Cowboys' total touchdowns. He finished the season with 4,184 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

April 9, 2012: Hawkins Crawford Romo born

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

2012: Ranked Among League Quarterbacks

In 2012, Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL.com analyst, ranked Tony Romo as the ninth best quarterback in the league heading into the season.

2012: NFL Top 100 Ranking

Tony Romo was ranked 91st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.

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.

April 2013: Romo undergoes back surgery

In April 2013, Tony Romo underwent back surgery to remove a cyst. The team characterized it as a minor procedure, but Romo ended up missing all of the mini-camp and organized team activities.

December 27, 2013: Romo undergoes back surgery and is placed on injured reserve

On December 27, 2013, Tony Romo underwent back surgery and was subsequently placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

2013: Romo Hosts Youth Football Camp

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

March 18, 2014: Rivers Romo born

On March 18, 2014, Tony Romo and Candice Crawford welcomed their second son, Rivers Romo.

2014: Romo ranked 71st on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2014, Tony Romo was ranked 71st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, recognizing his performance and contributions to the league.

2015: Romo Suffers Broken Collarbone

During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, Tony Romo suffered a broken left collarbone, sidelining him for eight weeks. The Cowboys failed to win a single game with Brandon Weeden and then Matt Cassel as starting quarterback.

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.

2016: Maverick for a day

Following his retirement in 2017, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced that Romo would be a "Maverick for a day" for the Mavericks' final home game of their 2016–17 season. He warmed up with the team and sat in full uniform on the bench, but did not play in the game and was not considered an official member of the roster.

2016: Romo Sidelined with Compression Fracture

In 2016, Tony Romo was unable to start the regular season due to a compression fracture in his back sustained during a preseason game, causing him to miss the first 10 games.

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.

August 23, 2017: Jones McCoy Romo born

On August 23, 2017, Tony Romo and Candice Crawford welcomed their third son, Jones McCoy Romo.

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.

February 2018: Romo Receives Sponsor's Exemption for PGA Tour

In February 2018, Tony Romo received a sponsor's exemption to play in the PGA Tour's Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from March 22–25.

July 2018: Romo Wins American Century Championship

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

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.

December 7, 2021: Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

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

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."