Tony Romo, of a legendary long tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, stepped back into the broadcast booth for the 2025 NFL season with CBS Sports, but his return came with an early slip.
Less than three minutes into Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, Romo inadvertently merged the names of the opposing quarterbacks, calling Green Bay‘s Jordan Love “Jared Love”, a combination with the name of Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff.
Romo, who retired in 2016 after Dak Prescott took over as the Cowboys‘ starting quarterback, joined CBS the following season as an analyst alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.
Since then, Romo has become one of the most recognizable voices in NFL broadcasting, signing a 10-year extension in 2020 reportedly worth $180 million.
Despite his experience, the first moments of the 2025 season seemed to show a bit of rust.
“Tony Romo referred to Jarred Love. Season starting strong for the $18M a year broadcaster,” one fan joked on social media. Other viewers were equally quick to react:
Fans were relentless in their amusement, with one posting, “Thank god we got Tony Romo back calling Jordan Love ‘Jared.'”
Another quipped, “Romo coming out the gates hot this season calling Jordon ‘Jared Love’ second play from scrimmage. Stay hot Tony.”
Romo’s tendency for blunders
Over his career with the Dallas Cowboys, he posted a 64.1 percent completion rate, a 95.6 quarterback rating, and threw 120 touchdowns against 63 interceptions.
These numbers cement his place as a top-tier passer.
Yet, Romo‘s career was often overshadowed by a recurring issue: closing out critical games.
Despite impressive statistics in late-game situations, including 34 fourth-quarter touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 100 passer rating, there were certain moments when a single misstep nearly cost the Cowboys an important games.
Lions-Packers game highlights
The Packers responded well to their on-air misnaming. Jordan Love led Green Bay on a successful opening drive capped by a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft.
Their defense also set the tone early, holding Jared Goff and the Lions to a quick 3-and-out on Detroit‘s first possession.
The brief on-air mix-up became an instant talking point for fans, a reminder that even seasoned commentators are human.
While “Jared Love” may dominate the highlight reels and social media threads this week, it is unlikely to overshadow his broader contributions to NFL broadcasting.
As the 2025 season progresses, Romo‘s expertise will continue to shape viewers’ understanding of the league’s young talent, including Jordan Love, who is now at the center of a viral broadcasting moment.
Fans, however, will likely remember this opening gaffe for some time, eagerly anticipating what quirks the former quarterback might deliver next.
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