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Tony Romo recounts voting process for Cowboys' starting QB role

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 14, 2026, 4:18 AM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

Tony Romo recounts voting process for Cowboys' starting QB role

Summary

Tony Romo revealed details of how he became the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback for the 2006 season during an interview on Barstool's 'Pardon My Take' podcast. Romo explained that head coach Bill Parcells arranged a vote among the coaching staff to determine whether he or Drew Bledsoe would start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Romo won the vote 8 to 7, leading the Cowboys to a 35-14 victory in that game. This significant moment in Romo's career has been largely unknown until now, nearly twenty years later.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Tony Romo became Cowboys' starter in 2006 after a coaches' vote.
•Bill Parcells organized an 8 to 7 vote between Romo and Bledsoe.
•Romo led the Cowboys to a 35-14 win over the Panthers shortly after.
•Details of the voting process were revealed nearly 20 years later.
•Achievements of Romo paved the way for Dak Prescott's emergence.

Latest Updates

4:18 AMYahoo Sports — Tony Romo reveals how Bill Parcells named him Cowboys' QB: 'Is it Bledsoe or is it Romo?'

What they're saying

"
Parcells took an unusually democratic approach to naming Dallas' starting quarterback ahead of the Cowboys' Week 8 game against the Panthers in 2006.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Carolina Panthers Dallas Cowboys NFL Football