Tony Romo Doesn't Deserve Your Scorn
This is what happens when you become the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys: your every move is scrutinized, especially when it is of the off-field, who-you're-dating variety. A year ago, nobody cared what Tony Romo did in his free time, but a lot can change in 12 months. The Dallas Morning News' Jean-Jacques Taylor has seen enough:
[Tony Romo's] supposed to date celebrities and judge beauty pageants. And he's supposed to attend award shows and have his love life detailed on the Internet and in newspaper gossip columns. So get off his back. Right now. Stop the foolish inquiries that question Tony Romo's work ethic. See, this is a classic case of perception creating a false reality.
I admit to wondering when Tony Romo had the time for football-related stuff given his busy off-season schedule, but I take Taylor's point. And I think he gets to the crux of the matter when he writes: "These days, though, [Tony Romo's personal life] fills your every waking moment because you're sick and tired of cheering for an underachieving team and you believe Tony Romo is a difference-maker."
I'm not a Cowboys fan but I suspect that pretty much encapsulates the sentiment of most supporters. But here's the thing: according to Tony Romo, he's much more focused now than he was last off-season:
"[People] know what I do all of the time now. I probably travel less than I did last year. I definitely play a lot less golf..."
Okay, I poked fun at him for trying to qualify for the U.S. Open and possibly neglecting his day job. I get it, he's a hard worker, takes his job seriously, blah, blah, blah. Even though Taylor comes off as preachy in his column, I'm fine with that: for some reason we, as fans, think it's fine to blast what a guy does (or doesn't do) at his job while we're monkeying around at our jobs making baseless accusations about someone's work habits. (By the way, this is my nominee for the worst sentence ever written.) That's the nature of sports fanaticism -- I get that -- but I'm willing to cut Tony Romo some slack until he actually gives me reason to wonder otherwise. (In the meantime, I'd suggest Tony Romo try not to impregnate anybody.)
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