Jerry Jones didn’t sound interested in piling on Tony Romo after the former Cowboys quarterback’s recent OWI arrest. If anything, he made it clear he’s staying in Romo’s corner.
Speaking at Cowboys training camp practice on Saturday, Jones was asked about the situation after fans chanted “free Romo.” Jones said he has already talked with Romo since the incident and believes the longtime Dallas signal-caller will get through it.
“Well, very much have had a chance to talk to him and been talking to him, but I love him,” he said of Romo. “I love what he's about. I love his character, I love his love of sport and he is a very, very unique talent.”
Jones went even further, pointing to the way Romo handled the hits and setbacks that came with a 13-year career in Dallas.
“The real question is, and I don't even have to ask what the answer is: do you think Tony Romo knows how to get up when he gets knocked down? He had a life of that, and absolutely that's one of his greatest attributes is that he can handle adversity. And, so, this is something that he will work through,” Jones concluded.
Jones has long made it known that he has a soft spot for Romo, and he doubled down on that Saturday.
“So, obviously I am a big fan of his, big fan of his family, and let me you right now: he's as real as he sounds, he feels every downtime and he feels every uptime,” Jones added.
Romo’s arrest has drawn plenty of attention since police said he was pulled over for speeding and unsafe passing on July 23 before being arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence. Body cam footage of the traffic stop and field sobriety test has since been released publicly.
The fallout has also reached Romo’s work at CBS. The network announced that Romo, who is part of the No. 1 NFL broadcast team with Jim Nantz, has been placed on leave.
“Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice," the network said in a statement.
Former Houston Texans edge rusher J.J. Watt will fill in for Romo while CBS determines the next step.
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