9 Things You Didn't Know About Tony Romo

May we introduce you to one Tony Romo? You thought you knew him, but...

After 14 years with the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Tony Romo has traded in his helmet and pads for a microphone, joining CBS Sports as its lead NFL game analyst alongside fellow lead announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

You may be able to name his professional stats in your sleep, but we can guarantee that these nine factoids—in honor of his number—will be news to you.

Photography by Steve Boyle. Originally published in Watch! Magazine, September-October 2017.

His real name is Antonio.

Antonio Ramiro Romo, to be exact. He takes his middle name from his grandfather, Ramiro Romo Sr., who emigrated from Mexico to the United States, and his father, Ramiro Romo Jr.

Photography by David Needleman/CBS for Watch! Magazine.

He comes from a military family.

Ramiro Jr. served in the Navy and was stationed with his wife, Joan, at a base in San Diego—the city where Tony was born on April 21, 1980.

Photography by Icon Sportswire/Getty Images. 

(Tony Romo pictured with two of his three children at the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys).

He's a Midwestern boy.

When Tony was 2, the family moved to Burlington, Wisconsin, where he played soccer, golf, baseball, and basketball, in addition to football.

Romo still returns to Burlington to visit high school friends and never misses a chance to grab a pie at Napoli Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Photography by Icon Sportswire/Getty Images.

His number, 9, isn't random.

Pitcher Roy Hobbs, Robert Redford's character in The Natural, wore number 9. A big fan of the film, Romo adopted the number.

Photography by Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images.

He made (undrafted) history.

Though several teams were interested, Romo wasn't picked in the 2003 draft.

He ended up signing with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent and grabbed the attention of owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells.

In 2006, he took over as the starting quarterback from Drew Bledsoe, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Photography by Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images.

He can name all the Gossip Girls.

Romo is married to Candice Crawford, a former Miss Missouri—who just so happens to be the sister of Chace Crawford (pictured left), the Gossip Girl actor.

The couple now have three children.

Photography by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images.

He tried to compete in the U.S. Open.

Romo's so passionate about golf that last spring, he signed up for a qualifying round in the U.S. Open.

He shot a 3-over 75 and missed out on a playoff by six strokes. He also tried to qualify in 2008. 

Photography by Jeff Gross/Getty Images.

He's a record keeper.

Romo is arguably one of the best quarterbacks to lead America's Team—and that's saying something, considering that both Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach preceded him.

He holds multiple club records, including yards passed (34,183), touchdowns (248), and career 300-yard games (46). 

Photography by David Needleman/CBS for Watch! Magazine.

OK, you probably know this, but it bears repeating.

After suffering a back injury, Romo ceded the starting quarterback role to Dak Prescott for the 2016 season.

He did, however, get on the field—memorably, for what would be his last drive, in the season's final game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the second quarter, he completed three of four passes and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams.  

Photography by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.