When Tony Romo took on the role of lead NFL broadcaster for CBS in 2017, he garnered both praise and criticism.
Over the last few years, the public sentiment seems to have shifted, with more criticism than praise directed at Romo from various quarters, including media analysts, radio hosts, and social media discussions.
However, during an NFL on CBS media call ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, Romo addressed the criticism, asserting that he believes he still has more fans than detractors.
Responding to a question about the criticism, Romo attributed it to the natural progression of a career and likened it to the trajectory seen in football. He suggested that people might be rooting against him because of his prolonged success, drawing parallels with athletes like Tiger Woods, who experienced a similar arc in their careers.
Romo acknowledged that those who appreciate his work may not express it as vocally as critics, pointing out that constant praise might seem repetitive. He emphasized that he encounters numerous fans who express their admiration for the broadcast and the CBS team regularly.
“Kevin, if you liked our broadcast and you said, ‘Wow, I love Jim Nantz and Tony Romo,’ and you said that on there on your tweet, are you going to keep doing that every week, or would that make you look a little silly?” Romo asked. “I think there’s far more people who I see every single day who come up and love our broadcast and our team and CBS and what we do, and I hear that and feel that. And you can feel it in life. There’s so many people that have said they love us.”
While Romo’s points about the normal ebb and flow of public opinion are valid, the discussion around him has included not only external criticism but also reports of internal critiques within CBS. This internal criticism, as well as feedback from prominent figures, adds complexity to the overall assessment of Romo’s performance.
Despite rankings showing a decline in fan-voted announcer booth standings, Romo remains optimistic about the support he receives and is aware that criticism is part of the journey.
