Dallas Cowboys: Easy to See Why Players Were ‘Team Dak’

With reports that Tony Romo is distancing himself from Dallas Cowboys teammates who were ‘Team Dak,’ it’s easy to see why players gravitated that way

For years quarterback Tony Romo was living the good life. He was the starting quarterback for one of the most recognizable franchises in all of sports history. He had the money, the fame and of course was also in the good graces of billionaire Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Then things took a turn for Romo. He became unable to finish seasons, missing time in both 2015 and 2016. The second time he was absent, though, he never got his job back. The team responded incredibly well to rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott, who eventually was named the starter.

Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions for Romo. He lost the job he loves and he also isn’t being let out of his contract to seek a new home, despite Jones telling him at one point he would be. That has to be hard and it’s understandable he would feel a bit betrayed by the team. It’s also understandable he would be distancing himself from the Cowboys as reported by NFL Media’s Jane Slater.

Romo’s feelings aren’t the only thing that’s easy to understand though. Also plain to see is why teammates in Dallas began to feel like they were being pulled to “Team Dak”—because Prescott was one of them.

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While Romo was the starter, he was often seen with his close friends, which included running back DeMarco Murray, tight end Jason Witten and head coach Jason Garrett. He would frequent sporting events with his coach in a non-exclusive club that didn’t feature other stars like receiver Dez Bryant, linebacker Sean Lee or defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.

That’s not all though. Romo also had his own spot it seemed in owner Jerry Jones’ press box. For most of the 2015 season he missed, Romo and his family were seen spotted in Jones’ luxury suite. Again, this wasn’t afforded to players like guard Zack Martin or cornerback Orlando Scandrick. Just Romo. Even Grag Rajan of the Houston Chronicle called Romo and the Boys out for this on Twitter during the Texas High School Football Finals.

So while Romo is rightfully emotional, to say he is only distancing himself now from teammates is inaccurate. Romo has been distancing himself from teammates for years, whether he realized it or not. By making himself one of the higher ups, he helped Dak Prescott take his job.

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With Romo hurt and hanging out with the Jones family—and telling Jerry he would die in about four years on Kimmel—he opened the door for someone else to become the leader of the 53 men on the field. While Romo has every right to feel betrayed by Jones for not doing right by him and releasing Romo, it’s just as easy to see why so many on the roster became Team Dak.