So I’m having birthday lunch with mom and family Sunday afternoon at a Chili’s in Cedar Hill. It’s early July, Wimbledon just ended, the World Cup was on break and the Rangers, well …
Alas, the TVs in the restaurant were all on NFL Network and a replay of the Cowboys’ Oct. 6 loss to the Denver Broncos. As a football geek, I obviously couldn’t help but repeatedly glancing up even though I attended that game in person at AT&T Stadium.
During appetizers, main course, dessert and the always entertaining splitting of the check I saw the same thing: Tony Romo throwing a touchdown pass. But, I swear, the man in the booth behind us had this conversation with what appeared to be his 8-year-old(ish) son.
Son: Dad, are the Cowboys playing today?
Dad: No, this is a replay of a game they last from last year.
Son: Why did they lose?
Dad: Because Tony Romo messed up at the end, like he always does.
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Watching the game I was reminded how dang good Romo is. But listening to yet another critic, I was also offered a refresher course in how underappreciated he is.
In that game he threw for a franchise-record 506 yards, becoming just the fifth quarterback in NFL history or amass 500+ yards and five touchdowns in a single game. It was one of the greatest passing performances in league history, one that had the Cowboys tied with Peyton Manning and the Broncos late in the game.
But knowing his team needed to score a touchdown, Romo forced a pass to Gavin Escobar that was intercepted on Dallas’ final possession. The pick set up Denver’s game-ending field goal for a 51-48 victory. After doing more than his shared, Romo tried to do too much.
48 points. 506 yards. 5 touchdowns. 1 blame.
Can’t wait for football to start again. Neither can Tony Romo.
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.
