Tony Romo: A Texas Sports Hero

Tony Romo’s place in NFL history is a surprising story, one that Jorge and Raquel Iber tell from its unlikely origins to its happy present in clear language for middle readers.

Tony’s grandfather was a migrant worker who emigrated from Mexico to Wisconsin, where he and his Texas-born Mexican American spouse fought hardscrabble for a middle-class life. Readers will learn about a Latino/a community’s struggles and triumphs in this unlikely midwestern enclave.

Unlike other future superstar quarterbacks, Tony didn’t get to play for a large city high school team. He was barely noticed by college recruiters, and his only real path to the next level came at a small school, Eastern Illinois University.

At EIU, Tony fought his way to become the starting quarterback. The story repeated itself in the NFL, when Tony battled his way from undrafted prospect all the way to All-Pro starting quarterback for the most famous NFL franchise in the world, the Dallas Cowboys.

A must-read for young Cowboy fans and their parents, Jorge and Raquel’s book places Tony’s life story among other famous figures in contemporary American sports. Relive Tony’s career, his difficulties and successes. Tony is the quintessential Texas Sport Hero.

Jorge Iber was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Florida. He taught in the public schools of Miami-Dade County for five years before pursuing a PhD. He is currently a professor of history and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Tech University.

Raquel Iber worked as a second grade teacher for two decades. During that time, she developed a speciality in helping students improve their reading skills. Raquel considers developing a love of reading in children to be of the highest importance. This is the second young reader book she has co-authored with her husband, Jorge.