Before Tony Romo was a multi-million dollar color NFL commentator for CBS, he had been one of the best quarterbacks in pro football.
Romo had gone from an undrafted signal-caller out of Eastern Illinois University to a four-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys. Romo had arguably the best season of his career in 2014, when he went 12-3 in 15 starts and led the NFL in total QBR.
But Romo suffered a broken left collarbone in 2015 and–thanks to the performance of fourth-round draft pick Dak Prescott–found himself on the outside looking in during the 2016 campaign.
However, Romo acknowledged Prescott–who led the team to an 8-1 record in Romo's absence–deserved to be the starting quarterback.
During an interview with Graham Bensinger, Romo said his decision to speak on Prescott's behalf stemmed both from perspective as well as understanding what was best for the team (via Matthew Lenix of USA TODAY):
“Well, I think anybody who’s winning that many games, their team was playing so well, I mean that’s kind of what will always happen,” Romo said. “You just don’t mess with that kind of success.”
“Football is really not about any individual, but we all want to be the best…one of the major reasons you’re winning and being great. You know, as you become a dad and you get older, you can kind of see there are rare multiple sides. It’s just not about me. It’s about so many more people. I just feel like when your team is playing well and everybody is playing really good football, it’s just a team sport. It’s not about an individual.”
Romo would retire after the 2016 season, subsequently transitioning to the booth. He recently signed a contract with CBS worth $17 million per year, making him TV's highest-paid broadcaster.
Prescott, meanwhile, has leveraged individual success into what might be a record-setting contract, once he and the Cowboys inevitably finalize the terms.
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