Tony Romo reportedly played through cracked ribs from the second quarter on in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday night, but the 10-year veteran is not using the injury as an excuse. Romo threw three interceptions as Dallas once again fell short of the postseason, and he took responsibility for the loss after the game.
“I feel as though I let our team down,” he told reporters, via the Dallas Morning News. “It’s disappointing not being able to get over that hump, but I also know that football is the ultimate team sport and I need to continue to improve, and our football team does, to get there.”
Dez Bryant also suffered from severe back spasms that forced him from the game in the fourth quarter. He was seen leaving the stadium in a wheelchair. Miles Austin suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter and tried to return, but ultimately could not play through the pain and left in the third quarter. Dallas was certainly banged up at an inopportune time, but Cowboys fans don’t want to hear it.
“Your legacy will be written when you’re done playing the game,” Romo said.
Time is not on Romo’s side. He will be 33 at the start of next season, and Sunday night’s performance has further cemented his reputation as a choker who makes crucial mistakes and has been consistently incapable of winning the big game. Last season, the Cowboys had a chance to make the playoffs by beating the New York Giants in the final game of the season but the end result was the same. If you ask Dallas fans, they will tell you that it has always been the same with Romo under center.
Of course, Romo didn’t lose by himself. A quarterback never loses or wins a game by himself. But his interception in the fourth quarter on a pass that was intended for DeMarco Murray in the flat was inexcusable. Romo recently expressed confidence that the Cowboys know they are going to win if they are within 14 points heading into the fourth quarter, and they were in position for yet another comeback in Washington. Instead, Romo gave the game away with a horrible decision. And not a single person was surprised.
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