Tony Romo, the former NFL quarterback turned commentator, has faced criticism and controversies throughout his broadcasting career. Some of the notable incidents include:
- Training with Jimmy Kimmel: Before starting his role as a color analyst for CBS Sports, Romo trained for the position with Jimmy Kimmel. During the training, Kimmel recalled that Romo ended up playing “Madden NFL” for hours instead of focusing on commentary practice.
- Diva Accusation by Keyshawn Johnson: In 2021, Keyshawn Johnson, a former Dallas Cowboys teammate, described Romo as “one of the most diva-ish dudes” he had been around. However, Johnson later clarified that he and Romo were good friends.
- Accusation of Using a Racial Slur: In January 2023, Romo was accused of using a racial slur during a live broadcast. The video circulated on social media, and although Shannon Sharpe responded cryptically, Romo did not provide an explanation for the incident.
- Mixing Up Taylor Swift’s Relationship: Romo made mistakes on air regarding Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce, referring to Swift as Kelce’s wife. While seemingly unintentional, these mix-ups added fuel to speculation about the couple.
- Using Celebrity Relationships for Ratings: Romo has been accused of using celebrity relationships, such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s, to boost ratings. He acknowledged that all publicity is good publicity and that generating clicks helps the NFL.
- Accusation of Not Working Hard Enough: Reports surfaced that CBS executives had spoken to Romo about his performance and alleged lack of preparation. However, CBS dismissed the notion of it being an intervention, stating that they regularly meet with their on-air talent.
Despite these controversies, Romo’s colleagues and those close to him have often come to his defense, praising his entertaining style, magnetism, and excitement during broadcasts. Jim Nantz, Romo’s co-anchor, highlighted the positive aspects of Romo’s commentary.
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Tony Romo