Bill Parcells announced Wednesday during a press conference that Tony Romo would be the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys this upcoming Sunday, when the Dallas Cowboys travel to Washington to take on the Redskins, and likely for the rest of the season. For the Cowboys, the switch means the team has decided to go in a new direction with a mobile quarterback, but for Drew Bledsoe, it could mean the end of his career. Bledsoe, the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, has maintained over the last few years that he would rather retire than serve as a backup quarterback, a role which he has played twice in his career. But, as the 26-year-old Romo takes Bledsoe’s starting role, Bledsoe may have to adapt to life beyond the NFL after this season’s end. Because Bledsoe has played in the shadow of two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady for the second half of his career, many fans forget how good of a quarterback he is. Upon getting drafted, Bledsoe, along with his coach Parcells, turned the Patriots franchise around, reaching the Super Bowl in the 1995 season. His critics have picked on his lack of mobility and inability to read defenses throughout his career, but the four-time Pro-Bowler’s performance for the past thirteen years has been remarkable. Bledsoe holds Patriot records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, but his accomplishments are not limited to just that franchise. He has thrown the fifth-most completed passes in NFL history and is seventh on the all-time passing yards list. Although talks of Hall of Fame may be premature, Bledsoe certainly deserves more credit than many fans give him. He is a class act and is always humble, despite his stunning accomplishments on the field. Wherever Bledsoe has been, he has done what the team has needed. For instance, he took a back-seat to wonder boy Brady in the 2001 season without significant complaint, after he recovered from his injury that had the opened the door for Brady. Humility and willingness to conform to team needs are rarities in the NFL nowadays, but Bledsoe embodies how a professional athlete should act in difficult circumstances. However, Bledsoe is still a very proud player and even had problems watching Brady steal his glory. Prior to that epic Super Bowl win, Brady was injured agaist the Steelers in the AFC Championship game and Bledsoe came in and led the Patriots to a win. Before the Super Bowl, head coach Bill Belichick ’71 called both quarterbacks into his office and named Brady the starter for the Super Bowl. Bledsoe, completely healthy while Brady was nursing a sore ankle, had expected to be named the starter, and when Belichick called on Brady, Bledsoe was crushed. Even a Super Bowl win could not ease the pain that Drew Bledsoe felt. He is a classy quarterback who has always put the team first, but he still yearns to prove that he is an elite athlete and will not settle for being a backup. Perhaps he will get signed by another team and serve as its starting quarterback, but for the time being, this is a eulogy for Drew Bledsoe’s career. Thank you for thirteen classy and historical years.
