Tony Romo: NFL Career, CBS Role and Current Status

Introduction

Tony Romo is an American former professional football quarterback and sports broadcaster. He is best known for playing for the Dallas Cowboys and later becoming a lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports.

Romo entered the NFL without being selected in the draft. However, he worked his way from a reserve player to the starting quarterback of one of the world’s most recognised sports teams.

He finished his playing career with 34,183 passing yards, 248 touchdown passes and four Pro Bowl selections. He then moved into television broadcasting in 2017.

As of August 2, 2026, Tony Romo is on leave from his CBS Sports role until further notice. This followed his arrest in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The legal matter had not reached a final outcome at the time of publication.

Tony Romo Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Antonio Ramiro Romo
Popular name	Tony Romo
Date of birth	April 21, 1980
Age	46 years old as of August 2026
Birthplace	San Diego, California, United States
Nationality	American
Profession	Former NFL quarterback and sports analyst
Playing position	Quarterback
College	Eastern Illinois University
NFL team	Dallas Cowboys
NFL career	2003 to 2016
Pro Bowl selections	Four
Career passing yards	34,183
Career touchdown passes	248
Broadcasting network	CBS Sports
Current status	On leave from CBS Sports as of August 2026

Who Is Tony Romo?

Tony Romo is a retired American football player who became famous as the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.

His full name is Antonio Ramiro Romo. He was born on April 21, 1980, in San Diego, California. His family later moved to Burlington, Wisconsin, where he grew up and attended Burlington High School.

Romo showed strong sporting ability from a young age. He played football, basketball and golf during his school years. His skills eventually helped him earn an opportunity to play college football.

Readers interested in the journey of another American quarterback can also read about Sam Hartman and his football career.

Early Life and Education

Tony Romo attended Burlington High School in Wisconsin. He competed in several sports and received recognition for his performances in football, basketball and golf.

After high school, Romo joined Eastern Illinois University. He played quarterback for the Eastern Illinois Panthers from 1999 to 2002.

His college career helped him become a serious professional football prospect. He led Eastern Illinois to important conference victories and several appearances in the national playoffs.

In 2002, Romo won the Walter Payton Award. The award recognises the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

He was also named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year three times. Romo finished his college career with 8,212 passing yards and 85 touchdown passes.

Tony Romo’s Undrafted NFL Beginning

Tony Romo was not selected by any team in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Being undrafted can end a young player’s professional dream. However, the Dallas Cowboys signed Romo as a free agent after the draft.

He began his NFL journey as a reserve quarterback. He spent his first few seasons learning behind more experienced players and also worked as a holder during kicking plays.

Romo did not immediately become a famous NFL star. His rise required several years of training, patience and competition.

In 2006, he replaced Drew Bledsoe during a game against the New York Giants. Romo later became the Cowboys’ regular starting quarterback.

Rise as the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback

Tony Romo quickly became one of the most important players on the Dallas Cowboys roster.

He could move outside the pocket, avoid defenders and create passing opportunities when a play appeared to be broken. His playing style made him exciting to watch, although it also placed him under intense pressure.

Romo earned his first Pro Bowl selection during the 2006 season. He received four Pro Bowl selections during his NFL career.

One of his strongest seasons came in 2007. He threw 36 touchdown passes and helped the Cowboys finish the regular season with a 13–3 record.

In 2012, he recorded 4,903 passing yards, which was a Cowboys single-season record at that time.

His most efficient season came in 2014. Romo completed 69.9% of his passes and recorded a league-leading passer rating of 113.2. The Cowboys finished the regular season with a 12–4 record.

Tony Romo’s Career Statistics

Tony Romo finished his NFL playing career with:

• 34,183 passing yards
• 248 touchdown passes
• 117 interceptions
• A 65.3% pass-completion rate
• A career passer rating of 97.1
• 25 fourth-quarter comebacks
• 30 game-winning drives
• Four Pro Bowl selections

Romo held the Dallas Cowboys record for career passing yards when he retired. Dak Prescott passed his total during the 2025 NFL season.

As of July 2026, Romo still held the Cowboys record of 248 career touchdown passes. Prescott had recorded 243 and was five touchdowns behind him before the beginning of the 2026 regular season.

Did Tony Romo Win a Super Bowl?

Tony Romo did not win a Super Bowl during his playing career.

The Dallas Cowboys reached the playoffs several times while he was their quarterback, but the team did not reach the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl.

Romo’s lack of deep playoff success became an important part of public debate about his career. Some people focused on his playoff record, while others pointed to his passing statistics, regular-season performances and ability to lead late comebacks.

His NFL career showed both sides of professional sport. He produced many excellent performances but never achieved the championship result that players and supporters wanted most.

Injuries and Retirement

Injuries affected the final years of Tony Romo’s playing career.

He suffered back and collarbone injuries that caused him to miss several games. A back injury during the 2016 preseason created an opportunity for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott.

Prescott performed well and remained the starting quarterback even after Romo became available to play again.

Romo made his final NFL appearance on January 1, 2017. He entered the game against the Philadelphia Eagles and completed a touchdown drive.

The Dallas Cowboys released him in April 2017 as he ended his playing career and moved into television.

Tony Romo’s CBS Broadcasting Career

CBS Sports hired Tony Romo in 2017.

He joined Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on the network’s leading NFL broadcast team. It was an unusually important position for someone beginning a broadcasting career.

Romo became known for explaining defensive formations and predicting possible plays before they happened. His recent experience as an NFL quarterback helped him describe what players might be thinking during important moments.

He called several major games for CBS, including Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl LV and Super Bowl LVIII.

Romo’s change from professional player to television analyst followed a path also taken by many other athletes. A similar career transition can be seen in the story of Robbie Mustoe, a former player who became a sports broadcaster.

CBS announced a long-term contract extension with Romo in 2020. Published reports have valued the agreement at about $17 million to $18 million per year, although CBS did not publicly provide the complete financial terms in its original announcement.

Is Tony Romo Still Working for CBS?

As of August 2, 2026, Tony Romo remains connected to CBS Sports but is on leave from his broadcasting position until further notice.

CBS announced that former NFL defensive star J.J. Watt would temporarily replace him on the network’s main NFL broadcast team. Watt was assigned to work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

The decision followed Romo’s July 23, 2026, arrest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

According to an Associated Press report about Tony Romo’s CBS leave, he was released after receiving citations and was given a court date of September 21, 2026.

An arrest or allegation does not prove guilt. No final court ruling had been announced as of August 2, 2026. His future return to CBS had also not been officially confirmed.

Tony Romo’s Wife and Family

Tony Romo is married to Candice Crawford Romo, a former television reporter.

The couple married in 2011 and have three sons. They have discussed their marriage and family life in selected public interviews but generally keep their children away from unnecessary media attention.

Romo has spoken publicly about the support he receives from his wife and family. He has also said that family life became an important part of his identity after football.

Tony Romo and Golf

Golf has remained one of Tony Romo’s biggest interests outside American football.

He has competed in professional and celebrity golf events. Romo won the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

His golf experience shows that his sporting ability extends beyond football. He played golf during his high-school years and continued taking the sport seriously after leaving the NFL.

Is Tony Romo in the Hall of Fame?

Tony Romo is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

He was selected as part of the 2021 class because of his achievements at Eastern Illinois University. He became the first Eastern Illinois player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

The university had already retired his number 17 jersey in 2009.

Romo is not currently a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His supporters often point to his passing efficiency and Cowboys records, while critics focus on his limited playoff success.

Why Is Tony Romo Famous?

Tony Romo is famous for three main reasons.

First, he became an NFL starting quarterback despite not being selected in the draft.

Second, he spent his entire professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys and became one of the team’s leading passers.

Third, he created a second public career as a major NFL television analyst after retiring from football.

His career connects professional sport, television and public entertainment. This has kept him in the public eye long after his final NFL game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tony Romo’s real name?

His full name is Antonio Ramiro Romo.

How old is Tony Romo?

Tony Romo was born on April 21, 1980. He is 46 years old as of August 2026.

What team did Tony Romo play for?

He played his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Was Tony Romo drafted?

No. He was not selected in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent.

How many touchdown passes did Tony Romo throw?

He threw 248 regular-season touchdown passes during his NFL career.

Did Tony Romo win a Super Bowl?

No. Romo did not play in or win a Super Bowl.

Why did Tony Romo retire?

Injuries affected his final seasons, and Dak Prescott became the Cowboys’ starting quarterback in 2016. Romo retired from playing and joined CBS Sports in 2017.

Is Tony Romo still a CBS announcer?

Romo remains connected to CBS, but he was placed on leave until further notice on July 31, 2026.

Who replaced Tony Romo on CBS?

CBS selected J.J. Watt to temporarily join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on its leading NFL broadcast team.

Is Tony Romo in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

No. He is in the College Football Hall of Fame but has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Conclusion

Tony Romo’s career is an unusual story of patience, opportunity and change.

He entered the NFL as an undrafted player, waited several years for his chance and eventually became the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. He finished with 34,183 passing yards, 248 touchdown passes and four Pro Bowl selections.

After retiring, he moved directly into a leading broadcasting role with CBS Sports. His ability to explain plays helped him become one of America’s most recognisable football analysts.

As of August 2, 2026, his broadcasting career faces uncertainty because CBS has placed him on leave while a legal matter remains unresolved. Any description of the incident should remain neutral until the court process produces an official outcome.