Sports

Romo: Dak Has "Earned The Right To Be Our Quarterback'

November 15, 2016 / 4:29 PM CST / CBS Texas

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FRISCO (105.3 The Fan) - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will dress out for Sunday's game as the backup for the first time since 2006, when he entered a game for a struggling Drew Bledsoe.

Much like that situation ten years ago, Romo, himself, has now been wally pipped by rookie QB Dak Prescott.

Speaking to the media for the first time since he broke a bone in his back on Aug. 25 in a preseason game in Seattle, Romo was emotional as he said Prescott has earned the starting quarterback job.

In a statement, Romo said the following Tuesday:

"To say the first half of the season has been a emotional would be a huge understatement. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you've ever had was a soul crushing moment for me. Then to learn it's not three or four weeks, but ten is another blow. And through it all, you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having let your teammates, fans and organization down. After all, they were depending on you to bring them a championship, that's what quarterbacks are supposed to do, that's how we're judged. I loved that, I still do.

But then here you are sidelined without any real ability to help your teammates win on the field. That's when you're forced to come face to face with what's happening. Season's are fleeting. Games become more precious. Chances for success diminish. You're potential successor has arrived. Injured two years in a row and now in the mid 30's. The press is whispering, everyone has doubts. You've spent your career working to get here. Now we have to start all over. You almost feel like an outsider. Coaches are sympathetic but they still have to coach and you're not there. It's a dark place. Probably the darkest it's ever been.

You're sad and down and out. And you ask yourself why did this have to happen? It's in this moment that you find out who you really are and what you're really about. You see, football is a meritocracy. You aren't handed anything. You earn everything. Every single day. Over and over again to prove it. That's the way that the NFL, that's the way that football works. A great example of this is Dak Prescott and what he's done. He's earned the right to be our quarterback - as hard as that is for me to say - he's earned that right.

He's guided our team to an 8-1 record and that's hard to do. If you think for a second that I don't want to be out there then you probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasn't left me. In fact, it may burn now more than ever. It's not always easy to watch. I think anyone that's every been in this position understands that. But, what is clear, is that I was that kid once. Stepping in having to prove yourself. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. And if I remember once thing from back then - it's the people that helped me along - when I was young. And if I can be that to Dak - I've tried to be - And I will be going forward.

I think you all know something magical is happening to our team. I'm not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team - by becoming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back and I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, it's about the team. That's what we've preached or entire lives.

I can remember when I was a kid just starting out and wanting to be a part of something bigger than myself. For every high school kid out there or college player there's greatness in being the kind of teammate who truly wants to be a part of a team. Everyone wants to be the reason they're winning and losing. Every single one of us wants to be that person. But there are special moments that come from a shared commitment to play your role, while doing it together. That's what you remember. Not your stats or your prestige. But the relationships and the achievements that you created through a group. It's hard to do but there's great joy in that. And all the while your desire burns to be the best you've ever been. You can be both, I've figured that out in this process. That's what separates sports from everything else. It's why we love it, it's why we trust it. It's why I still want to play and compete.

Lastly, I just want to leave you with something I've learned in this process as well. I feel like we all have two battles or two enemies going on. One with the man across from you, the second is with the man inside of you. I think once you control the one inside of you, the one across from you really doesn't matter. I think that's what we're all trying to do."

Originally thought to be a devastating blow to the Cowboys' season, Romo's injury gave way to the opportunity for Prescott. The rookie quarterback has since led the Cowboys to an NFL best 8-1 record, while taking the job from one of the best quarterbacks of this generation.

With arguably the best Cowboys team Romo has ever been a part of on the field, Romo will do all he can to help from the sidelines, while preparing for his opportunity.

Jerry Jones told The Fan's Shan & RJ show on Tuesday morning that he's excited about the prospect of having Romo be the backup.

"To have Tony Romo to be available to step in is unthinkable, in a positive way," Jones said.

Jones was confident that Dak has no need to 'look over his shoulder' with Romo being suited out on the sideline. "The big thing I want to say is how much Tony is into helping Dak being prepared," said Jones.

"Make no mistake, he's been wonderful about this" said Jones. "Tony is going to have serious options, and he is a young man relatively speaking, and he has the ability to be a great Offensive Coordinator."

Romo may indeed become a great offensive coordinator someday, but the final chapter of his fantastic career may not be complete just yet.