Tony Romo and Football Color

**This is one of my favorite video/audio cuts, regarding football.  Tony describes the no-catch in Green Bay here.  We should have known what was to come as a broadcaster, and he proved it in that video.  That no-catch to Dez Bryant, truthfully, would end his playing career. 


I was wearing my Tony Romo hat this weekend.  It's a shade of blue (fairly worn), and embroidered in the front with, "Romo" and the number "9".  It's a unique cap, and I'd guess cannot be found anymore.

A man with an Eagles cap came up to me at the store, and asked unsolicited, "Do you think Romo knows more about football than Aikman?  I don't think he does and his voice sucks!" 


Just like that. 


I didn't respond, but I did think about the question on the ride home.  My answer is - I don't know.  If I was an NFL owner and interviewed Aikman and Romo for coaching positions, I'd make Aikman a head coach and Romo an offensive coordinator.  But, that's just me.  The fact is Romo, continues to impress the football fans with his ability to "predict" plays and give unique color to the games he calls, even if his voice does suck.  He doesn't have the perfect baritone voice with immaculate enunciation.  But, he brings a je n'ais se quoi never seen before, or at least, in recent memory.

Romo takes you to the sideline.  He takes you to the coaches mind, which is epic!  He takes you to the huddle and the mind of the quarterback seconds before that quarterback takes the ball.  He tells you the story of all the intricacies and massive information processed in seconds before the ball moves and all forms of collisions take place.  And, he does it in a way that most, if not all, fans understand.  That's a gift.


Here's an example of an NFL play from the great, Jon Gruden: U Zap to West Right Tight F Left Fake 99 Toss Crunch Naked Right. 


Huh? 


Every word means something to someone in that huddle.  And, if one has played the game at any level, it may make sense. 




Otherwise, most fans watch the chaos that is every play, wait to see where the ball ended up, watch them huddle up, line up and do it all over again.  Four opportunities to advance ten yards at a time. 


What you have in Romo is a person who can describe it in terms everyone understands and enjoys.  Fans are not simply following the ball anymore.  They are really enjoying a dimension of the game not readily available before. 


I played the game 6 years in Texas.  When I really want to watch a game, I record it and watch when everyone else is sleeping - audio muted.  I'll rewind and forward the "tape", and pause it when I need to see a formation or a defensive coverage.  It's a crazy way to watch, but that's just me.  If I watch with family and friends, I'll have the radio on in an earbud.  The call on the radio has always been far superb than TV, because those folks have to paint the picture for you without the advantage of a TV video feed.


Then, my man Tony came in the booth.  I enjoy a live game when he's in the booth now - audio on.  And, I can't take away from Jim Nantz, as he's one of the best play-by-play pros.


Ten years from now, very few of that generation will even know Tony played.  They will, however, love his call, which is only bound to get better and better.