Player Profile

COLLEGE: On Dec.19, 2002, Tony Romo was the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the nation's top player at the NCAA Division 1-AA level. He finished his career holding school and conference records with 85 touchdown passes. He was second in school and third in conference history with 8,212 passing yards. He was also second in school history with 584 completions and 941 attempts. As a senior, he set school and conference records for completions with 258 in 407 attempts for 3,615 yards, ranked him second in conference and third in school history for a season. He threw for 34 touchdowns and scored one rushing touchdown. Romo's 3,149 yards in total offense as a senior ranked third in school and conference history. Along with the Walter Payton Award, Romo earned consensus All-America honors. He was also selected All-Ohio Valley Conference and was named OVC Player of the Year for the third straight year. As a junior, he led Division 1-AA in passing efficiency, completing 138-of-207 passes for 2,068 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was selected to the Associated Press All-America third team, All-Ohio Valley Conference first team and the OVC Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Romo ranked second in Division 1-AA in passing efficiency, completing 164-of-278 passes for 2,583 yards and 27 touchdowns. After the season, he was honored as an All-America honorable mention, an All-Ohio Valley Conference member, and the OVC Player of the Year. In 1999, his first year of collegiate football, Romo appeared in three games, completing 24-of-49 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns. He was redshirted as a true freshman.

PERSONAL: Romo was a business major at Eastern Illinois. He lettered three times in football while attending Burlington, Wisc., High School.