The public is fickle. One moment they call you a savior and the next they take you off to the platform to slip a noose around your neck. History is replete with such occurrences and modern sport provides the equivalent of a beheading once or twice per week. Take, for instance, the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo.
In less than 12 days he’s named to the Pro Bowl then leads his team to a disastrous performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. A few more losses and he’ll face a horde of angry football fans in Dallas most of whom wear too much makeup and funny hats.
Dallas, home to the Cowboys and not much else, loves its Quarterbacks. In Big D, if you win, you’re America’s superstar (By their calculation) and Romo is eating it up as he lives out his dream of playing football and courting marginal singers.
To be sure, Romo is talented. A quick release and an ability to remain calm serve him well. His ability may well play out on the ultimate stage of football, the Super Bowl. Later. Maybe. This year the only way he’s going to the Super Bowl is to escort a country singer or ask Mike Tice for tickets. Dallas has talent but little cohesiveness..
After their loss to the Eagles, T.O. and Terry Glenn complained bitterly with Owens pointing to the play calling as a culprit. He may have a point but Owens forgets an important point; when your number is called, make a play. Romo, the budding star, remained silent.
The public always turns on its heroes. It’s not a question of if but rather a matter of when. Some are disliked their whole careers whilst others keep a low profile and manage to slip under the radar until they make an error. Romo, inviting the spotlight, may well be a hero in the future but if he fails to elevate his play with same rapidity as his profile he’ll find himself swinging from a rope. Oh to be a star.
Article comments
1 - mjryan
I agree with everything but the assertion that Dallas is home to not much else but the Cowboys. Since that isn't what your article is about I won't quibble with it too much.
I've been wary of the praise heaped on Romo from the beginning. With the Dallas media it's either feast or famine. They don't know how to temper praise or criticism. As a result, the only person that seems to have a handle on what Romo can and can't do is Parcells. He's tempered his praise from the beginning. Romo is good, but he still has a lot of learning to do.
I do worry about the way he's inviting fame by perpetuating rumors of his attachment with Jessica Simpson and now his connection with Carrie Underwood. Leave the starlets to Tom Brady who has three skins on the wall. He needs to focus on leading his team to the Super Bowl. Do that, and the fame will come. Until then, he's just a quarterback with potential.
2 - GEORGE RAMOS
Ya and plus don't forget about T-ball
3 - Jim
Yeah, Romo seems to be pretty inconsistant. One minute he's throwing great touch down passes, and the next he's throwing multiple interceptions. Overall, I have to say he is a talented quarterback though. Although I would like to see Drew Bledsoe in more games, I have to say I am pleased with Romo's performances. A great way to talk to fellow Cowboy fans or any sport's fans is a social network site called Cyworld. It's really cool you can customize your minihome just the way you want it with sport memorabilia and sports equipment. You can share your pics, artwork, music and on and on. Check it out at http://www.cyworld.com . I work with them, so I'm just giving you guys the heads up on a great site!
4 - The Critic
he's loaded with potential but even he gets rattled. What's going to happen when the honeymoon is over?
5 - RJ Elliott
Also, he's part black... :-/
6 - RJ Elliott
See this.