Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Ramiro Romo Filled With Pride On Son's Biggest Day

Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
October 30, 2007 7:03 PM

IRVING, Texas - Ramiro Romo could only smile.

The father of now one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL sat off to the side during Tuesday's press conference.

And as he sat there, obviously several thoughts went through his mind.

There he was, flanked by his wife Joan, watching their son Tony take center stage once again.
Romo is now the quarterback of the future for America's Team, after signing a six-year contract extension worth $67.5 million, including $11.5 million in signing bonus.

"It's not mind-boggling, but it's surreal in some respects because you're never thinking that your son is going to get to that point," Ramiro Romo said. "I think we'll be able to get used to it pretty quickly."

Tuesday's press conference should've been an inspirational moment for the Romo family, who has been battling some rough times recently. Ramiro Romo was diagnosed with prostate cancer just days after the Cowboys' Sept. 23 win over Chicago.

Ramiro Romo did not speak about his current condition on Tuesday, focusing all of his attention on his son and the rest of his children.

"This is not only for Tony but for all my kids, my daughters and Tony - that they're good people," he said when asked what makes him proudest about his son's accomplishments. "For them it's not all about money. It's about morals, character, loyalty, honor, some of the things that I've learned when I was in the Navy. They reflect a lot of that stuff, and that's what I'm most proud of."

While both Ramiro and Tony said the amount of the new contract is beyond their wildest dreams, Ramiro never really doubted his son could make it to this level. He noticed athletic ability in Tony from an early age.

"We got him a set of golf clubs when he was eight years old. He started swinging those around and he was pretty good at that," Ramiro said. "Then I would take him to play basketball with me and he was pretty good at that. It just grew from there."