On Tuesday, April 4th the news broke that the Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback since 2006 and four time Pro Bowl selection, Tony Romo, is set to retire from the game of football. Romo, who signed to the Cowboys in 2003, has been with them his entire NFL career. One of his most notable seasons was in 2014, when he lead Dallas to the NFC East title, and lead the NFL in passer rating. He has had six appearances in the NFL playoffs, however, he is only won two of those games he’s played in. Numerous back injuries, including this past season, kept him from having much playoff success. He did not start the 2016 season after having a compression fracture of the L1 vertebra, which caused him to miss the first ten games of the season, which got him replaced by Dallas’ backup quarterback at the time, Dak Prescott. Prescott would shock the entire NFL, and go on a tear in those games, leading his team to a 9-1 record. Once Romo came back, he gave a heartfelt speech, saying that Prescott had earned the right to be the starting quarterback of the team, and that he was going to take the role as the second string quarterback. However, Romo did get some playing time on January 1st, when they played the Eagles. He went 3 for 4 for 29 yards, and a touchdown. Little did everyone know, this would ultimately be Romo’s last game.

The talk was, after the 2016 season, Romo was going to be cut from Dallas, which is what was initially going to happen. The talk then begun on what team Romo would be playing for in 2017. Most of the rumors had been saying he wanted to play for the Denver Broncos. Though Romo decided, after 14 years of playing football for Dallas, it was time to hang it up and retire. I think this is a good move to retire on Romo’s part. Since 2003, Romo has worn the blue star on his helmet, and the blue and white jerseys of the Dallas Cowboys. I believe he wants to forever be known as the starting quarterback for Dallas, and not transition to another team, and be known for playing for them last rather than Dallas. Now that he’s retiring, he’ll always be known for being a Cowboy forever. I also think Romo doesn’t have much left to prove. Although he’s never won the Super Bowl, I think all NFL fans know that he had the potential to lead Dallas to a Super Bowl, it was the injuries that plagued that Super Bowl run. At 36 years old, going on 37 this year, I think it’s the perfect time. He’s retiring just three years younger than Peyton Manning did, and why risk getting another bad back injury? He’s already had a few injuries to the back, I’m sure Romo’s health definitely factored into his decision to retire.

However, this isn’t goodbye forever for Romo. Although we won’t be seeing the number nine for Dallas play on the field anymore, Romo is jumping into the football broadcast booth next year to commentate the NFL games. I think that’s a great spot for Romo to take. He’ll still be around the game of football, he’ll still be making money, and all of his fans will still be able to see him every week. I think Romo’s retirement, though it’s going to be sad to see him go, it’s the right time for him. I think he’ll be best known for his heart, his toughness, his ability and love of the game of football.