Tony Romo’s off-field romance with Jessica Simpson and on-field job as Dallas Cowboys quarterback makes him as prominent as the star on the 50-yard line at Texas Stadium. But if he had a teammate that craved just as much attention, certainly his celebrity burden would be a lot lighter. Oh, right, he does, as he mentioned in a Wednesday conference call with reporters.
Q » Hard Knocks is just another thing for you guys?
Romo » Yeah, honestly that stuff is blown out of proportion. You always have media around the locker room and in different areas. There’s always a camera around somewhere when you turn a corner so it is what it is, and you keep living life and do things the right way, and you’re fine.
Q » Does Terrell Owens, who had eight catches and four touchdowns last year against the Redskins, get particularly pumped for rivalry games?
Romo » He is always up for each game. He really lives for those moments. He’s pretty excited this week to get back up there. He didn’t have a 12-catch game last week so he’s very prepared to come out and keep blocking the way he did and keep doing the little things.
Q » Is it easier for you and T.O. because the Cowboys have so many more options than the teams Owens played for in San Francisco and Philadelphia?
Romo » At the end of the day, I’m throwing to the guy who is open. He understands that. But he also understands the reason the other guy is singled up and we can win is that he’s getting doubled. He also understands when the timing is there he’s a big play threat so I’m looking for him. You have to do what’s in the best interest of the team. He’s to the point where he knows it’s just about winning. He’s done everything else.
Q » You’ve both been written about beyond sports pages. Do you think someone like you takes attention off a guy like T.O.?
Romo » I think we both understand it helps both of us out. The reality of it is, at a certain point, you want your privacy. You want to have the ability to live a normal life. I don’t know that you can get that a lot in this industry, and what we’re doing, and that’s understandable because it goes with what you love to do. You have to accept that, and you learn to be okay with that. But I think anytime you have someone else it’s great that people want to talk to him if it takes off what I have to do and vice versa. We appreciate each other, and we also understand his success is directly related to mine. Usually, if he plays a good game, I play a good game and vice versa.
