Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Tony Romo Rules of Engagement

By Rawlins Gilliland

I aired an NPR commentary (KERA 90.1 FM) years ago about being a ‘Sports Agnostic’; meaning that I don’t worship at the shrine of pro sports’ highest bidder bordello. But I do know a good thing when I see it. And for the first time in 15 years, I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan. And lest you wonder why, the answer in three words is ‘Antonio Ramiro Romo’. Also known as ‘Tony’.

So why does Tony Romo matter? To this lifelong Dallasite, he reminds us why the Cowboys first became ‘America’s Team’. For all the right reasons. That moniker took on a patina glow in the early '90s when Troy Aikman showed us all what it was to be dedicated, honorable, humble and damn good. It was absolutely impossible to fault that young Aikman as a leader and as a role model for anyone aspiring to become the best at anything. And now, when all seemed lost in the fog of warring salary caps, we have Romo.

Why else does Tony Romo really matter? To me, it’s a series of things that instill pride, not simply to echo a “how bout them boyz” cult chant. One thing that puzzles me but goes unsaid is that, for instance, while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is referred to as a stellar African-American gridiron leader (despite his lineage as an American probably being as long as this nation’s ancestry can be traced), I have yet to hear Tony Romo called a Mexican-American winner. This despite his father’s father Ramiro Romo Sr., for whom Tony is in part named, having emigrated from Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico to San Antonio when he was young.

That elder Romo cites, according to San Antonio sportswriter David Flores, Tony's success as an example of the possibilities afforded to immigrants in the United States. Says he; "I've always said this is a country of opportunities. If you don't get a job or an education, it's because you don't want to." Romo's mother is Polish-German descent. So by any definition, this 27-year-old man is in every respect All American.

Beyond that, what would make me await the Cowboy games like I did the University of Texas games as a kid, when Darrell Royal was coaching national champions? Because Tony Romo is having fun. He’s thrilled getting his chance. He’s giving credit to his fellow players; particularly the once-maligned wide receiver Terrell Owens and celebrated tight end Jason Witten. It’s exciting watching this trio, as it was to cheer the ‘Triplets’ Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin onto 1993’s Super Bowl when Aikman was named MVP after completing 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushing for 28 yards.

This Cowboy team in real terms has yet to show its lasting capacity to win, I being no more a sports analyst than a butt-lift plastic surgeon. But I am a student of life; a big believer in being in the moment. And if you haven’t already, take a moment to pay homage to a moment in time as the first in 8-year playoff game nears; the latest round of good old days when, once again, winning is everything. For all the right reasons.

This article was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.

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