The former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has finally spoken about Tony Romo and his decision to retire. Parcells was one of the key pieces that brought Romo to Dallas, and he managed to convince him to accept less money than Romo would have certainly taken if he had signed with some other team.
According to the coach, Romo’s decision to call it a career came at the right time, especially because he faced several injuries over the years. Parcells told the New York Daily News: “I was glad he retired. Enough is enough. You got to know, this is hazardous to your health.”
Rumor has it that the Texans and the Broncos wanted to sign Romo during the off-season. Romo lost his starting position to rookie Dak Prescott who had a fantastic season, while he struggled with two back injuries and several collarbone fractures. When he joined the Cowboys, Romo had to sit for three seasons before becoming a starting quarterback, and Parcells said that was how it had to be.
“I really believe I handled him the right way when he was young,” Parcells stated. “If I had thrown him in there, it would have been tough. He was indiscriminant. It took a while. When we got (Vinny) Testaverde down there (in 2004), it was a big help to Tony. Vinny was very meticulous, very studious, very professional in his training and his weight lifting. Tony got to see that.”
Parcells retired after 2006 season which was the first time Romo was a starter. The Hall of Fame coach chased former Tennessee tight end Jason Witten in the third round of 2003 draft, and he said something about him too. Parcells declared: “I wish Jason Witten had retired.”
Witten signed a four-year contract extension last month with the Dallas Cowboys.
