Tony Romo speaks for first time since retirement news, tweets pic wearing CBS jacket

Romo retires as Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns

(Image via Tony Romo's official Twitter account.)

DALLAS – News broke early Tuesday morning of Tony Romo’s retirement from the NFL, but the former Cowboys quarterback had not spoken or posted anything publicly until now.

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Romo tweeted a photo of himself just before 2 p.m. wearing a CBS Sports jacket with the network’s familiar logo. The tweet read: “I guess it's time to start dressing up. #CBS”

CBS also released a statement with a quote from Romo that read:

“When you think about the NFL, two of the most iconic brands are the Dallas Cowboys and CBS Sports,” Romo said. “Going from one legendary team to another as I begin the next phase of my career is a dream come true. I have always known that once my playing career was over I wanted to become a broadcaster. I am ecstatic  for the opportunity to work with Jim (Nantz) as I learn the craft and convey to fans my passion for this great game”

Romo will take over for Phil Simms as the lead analyst for CBS’ NFL game package. FOX and NBC were also interested in Romo as a game analyst.

Romo, 36, had wrestled with the idea of continuing his career with another team, but decided to go into broadcasting.

He has not ruled out a return to playing. Romo retires as the Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

He suffered a back injury last preseason and ultimately lost the starting job to rookie Dak Prescott, who led Dallas to a 13-3 record.

Dallas Cowboys officially release Tony Romo:

Minutes after Romo’s tweet, the Cowboys issued a press release with statements from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett.

Jones’ statement read:

“We wish Tony and his family nothing but the best. As an organization, we did what he asked us to do in terms of his release, and we wanted to do what was ultimately in his best interest and in the best interest of his family.

“Tony has been a wonderful representative of the Cowboys organization for 14 years, and he left everything he had on the field. He will leave us with many great memories and a legacy of being, truly, one of the greatest players in Cowboys history. We are thrilled for him and his family that he will be able to continue working as a professional in the game he so dearly loves. 

“He is a young man who is just getting started on a long journey in life. All the best my friend.”

Garrett’s statement read:

“Tony Romo has a unique combination of athletic ability, arm talent, vision, and instincts for the game. What separates Tony from many other players, however, is a rare competitive spirit. Tony loves to play. Tony loves to compete. The best ones always do. In practice. During games. On the field. Off the field. Tony competes to the end in everything that he does.

“That relentless spirit that Tony plays with is contagious. He makes his teammates better. He makes his coaches better. He makes his team better. He has grown so much as a player and as a person over the course of his career and has made a significant impact on the lives of so many. I consider myself fortunate to be at the top of that list. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to work with Tony Romo, one of the greatest players in Dallas Cowboys history.”


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.