Tony Romo is older, wiser, a father and – if generation crotchety has its say – more mature.
I’m again stunned by all the inane opinions streaming from the end of last Sunday’s victory over the Saints. As Romo finished his on-field interview with NBC’s Michelle Tafoya, he reached over and adjusted teammate DeMarco Murray’s cap – turning it around so the bill faced forward.
I’m not nearly shallow enough to analyze – or even care – how a player wears his cap. But there are lots of grumpy old men in the media who do.
ESPN’s Ed Werder immediately Tweeted “Tony Romo has learned.” And ESPN talk-show host Collin Cowherd did a whole segment on how the move symbolizes the maturation of Romo and, in fact, credited it for his improved football. I got an email from a friend/long-time Cowboys fan that echoed the same silly sentiment: “The Hollywood seeking, backwards cap wearing in front of the camera doesn’t work. It only distracts and confuses the mindset and gives off a bad image.”
Preposterous.
Truth is older fans and media are afraid of change, or anything remotely different or outside their comfort zone. In general, they don’t like anything they haven’t already seen/tasted/heard/experienced 1,000 times before. In turn, they make knee-jerk character assumptions based on something as casual and inconsequential as clothing. Or caps.
I've got enough to worry about in my life than how somebody else dresses. And I long ago stopped (or started) doing things just because "it's right." Says who? Let's be honest, unless you're outside on a sunny day, caps are just props anyway. The 10-gallon Cowboy hat was invented, in part, to usher the rain away from the face and neck of the ranchand working the back 40. Isn't it silly - or not "right" - to wear one when doing nothing more than downing beers in a honky tonk? I mean, that's not how it was "supposed" to be worn, any more than Romo's baseball cap is "supposed" to be worn with the bill facing forward.
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Tom Brady wears his cap backward. So does Ben Roethlisberger. Joe Namath had the audacity to wear white shoes. Last time I checked they had each won a Super Bowl or two.
I don’t care how Romo wears his cap, or even if he wears a cap at all. And I’m absolutely certain his headwear choice has zero impact on how he throws a pass on the field. Romo is playing better because of Murray’s running, and neither of their success is tied to something as inconsequential as a cap.
I’m honestly embarrassed to be a part of a media that seriously makes such a ludicrous connection. Now excuse me while I put on my cap backward and go out for a morning jog.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
