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Tony Romo just signed himself a record-breaking deal with CBS to continue to be an analyst for the network’s NFL coverage, with a chance to inflate to over $180 million in the next decade. When you consider Romo also earned an estimated $127 million during his 14 seasons playing in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, per Over the Cap, it’s clear that the former quarterback is pretty much set for life.
While Romo might have mounds of cash now, after coming off his rookie deal with the Cowboys in 2007 after his first three NFL seasons, that wasn’t the case. At the time, the undrafted player out of Eastern Illinois was earning the league minimum ($250,000), and was still trying to earn his spot on the depth chart. When it was time for him to negotiate a new deal with the team, instead of being thrown a bunch of cash, Tony Romo had to grab his sack and look team owner Jerry Jones and then head coach Bill Parcells right in the eye to demand more money.
Rather than take the $500,000 signing bonus that Jones and Parcells were offering at the time, the young signal-caller was able to squeeze an extra $1.5 million out of them, explaining to the duo that more cash would mean an investment from the team, and, in essence, could lead to more opportunities to play. Romo broke the details of the story down while talking to Graham Bensinger, so take a look below.
Per Pro Football Talk:
“Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells sit me down right before a preseason game,” Romo recalled. “They’re like, ‘We need you to sign this deal for $500,000.’ I’m making the league minimum, $250,000 or so. I told them, ‘The only way you’ll play me is if you have something invested in me that makes you want to see if I’m worth it.’ I told them $2 million. ‘For that, I feel like you’ll want to put me in a game to see.’ Believe me, I didn’t want to do it. It was as nerve-wracking a situation as I’ve ever been in.”
Romo said that Jones and Parcells agreed, and he got his $2 million signing bonus.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh I’m the richest guy in the world. I just got $2 million,’” Romo said.
Listening to Tony Romo retell the story is hilarious now, but, in the moment, I’m sure the 20-something-year-old was legit shitting bricks. It was a serious risk to try and negotiate with Jones and Parcells, not only because of their reputations based off their success, but also because Romo was unproven, only starting 10 games in his first three seasons with the team. Had they laughed at his request, it could’ve really made things tense. Instead, he stuck to his guns, got his money and the rest is history.
What’s even better than Romo getting the major pay raise, and how he was able to do so, is how he described Parcells’ reaction afterwards, with the head coach allegedly elated with how poised his young player was, proving that he had the chops to be a starting quarterback in the league. You can see that part — and the entire interview between Romo and Bensinger — below.
This is a pretty awesome life lesson, too, proving to know your own value and to never settle for anything less than what you think you’re worth. Sure, it’ll be nerve-racking and tense as shit, but it could lead to great rewards.