QB Romo retires, takes TV role
LOS ANGELES: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo retired from the National Football League on Tuesday, walking away from the sport after a 14-year career to take up a position as a television analyst.
Romo’s future had been one of the biggest talking points of the close season with the 36-year-old reportedly mulling a move after losing his starting role last year to Dak Prescott.
Romo, who has spent his entire professional career with the Cowboys, had been tipped to join either the Denver Broncos or the Houston Texans in an attempt to reignite his career.
However the four-time Pro-Bowler instead decided to retire from the sport to pursue a career in broadcasting, joining CBS television in place of former NFL quarterback Phil Simms.
“I have always known that once my playing career was over I wanted to become a broadcaster,” Romo said, tweeting a picture of himself wearing a CBS Sports blazer.
“Going from one legendary team to another as I begin the next phase of my career is a dream come true.”
CBS said that Romo would join the play-by-play man Jim Nantz and the sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on the lead announcing team.
Romo retired with the blessing of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who granted his release on Tuesday from the remaining time on the quarterback’s contract.
“We wish Tony and his family nothing but the best,” Jones said in a statement.
“As an organisation 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.”
Romo, who turns 37 this month, fractured his back last August and spent most of the season in rehabilitation only to find his place taken by Prescott, who led the Cowboys to the playoffs.
Romo is the Cowboys’ all-time leader with 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdowns but has not played a full season since 2012 due to injuries, missing 21 games over the past two seasons.