Member-only story
You Win Some/You Lose Some
A sad Tony Romo tale
Many children interested in athletics do the same thing. They’ll announce whatever game they’re playing as if millions of viewers are watching it on tv. Leading sportscasters admit that’s how they got their start in the profession.
Once upon a time, those sportscasters didn’t come from a background of actually playing that sport professionally. Guys like Red Barber, Mel Allen, or Vin Scully — all announcing icons — never played in the major leagues.
But slowly, ex-veterans of the field landed in the broadcast booth. Dizzy Dean, Phil Rizzuto, and Ralph Kiner were a few of the trendsetters. Now it seems that every broadcast team is comprised of the consummate announcer with the velvet or exciting voice — and the color guy who played the game at the pro level.
Enter Tony Romo, ex-quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo was a good player. Not the greatest — but “up there.” Still, he somehow exceeded his playing days ascending to the A-list of broadcasters, commanding a ridiculous salary for simply announcing games.
What kids do free while they play their youthful games, Tony was getting paid $18 million per year on a 10-year contract. Nice work if you can get it.
