Packers, Badgers rule NFL’s Top 100 players list
By Phil Watson
34. Tony Romo
Last year: 71
Born in San Diego, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is the only Burlington High School graduate to ever play in the NFL.
It was a long climb for Romo, who played collegiately at Eastern Illinois before signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent 2003 and didn’t play in a regular season game at quarterback until 2006.
Romo bounced back from offseason back surgery last year to record his best statistical season, leading the NFL with a 69.9 completion percentage and a 113.2 quarterback rating while getting Dallas back to the playoffs for the first time in five years.
He threw for 3,705 yards and 34 touchdowns with just nine interceptions and the Cowboys were 12-3 in his 15 starts.
Romo was also outstanding in the playoffs, throwing for 484 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, completing 34 of 50 throws, while leading the Cowboys to a win over the Detroit Lions before they lost at Green Bay in the divisional round.
He was selected for his fourth Pro Bowl after posting the sixth-highest quarterback rating of all-time last season. His career 97.6 rating is second in NFL history behind Aaron Rodgers.
Next: A Former Badger Who Brings The Nasty