Cowboys QB Tony Romo dumps Jessica Simpson: report

Last Updated: Thursday, January 24, 2008 | 1:50 PM ET

CBC Sports

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has dumped Jessica Simpson, OK! magazine reported Thursday.

Dallas fans accused the entertainer of being a distraction to Romo and she was cast as a scapegoat after the Cowboys, who went 13-3 in the regular season, were sent packing in a surprise 21-17 playoff loss to the New York Giants.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has reportedly broken up with Jessica Simpson.
(Donna McWilliam/Associated Press)

"Tony is now starting to blame her himself," an unidentified friend of Romo's told OK! magazine. "Before dating Jessica, he was Texas's golden boy. Now he's become a joke."

OK! magazine reported that shortly after the Cowboys' Super Bowl hopes were dashed by the Giants, Romo phoned Simpson to end the affair. The source also said Romo wanted them to remain friends.

For Cowboys fans, the enmity dates back to a regular-season game Simpson attended as the star QB's special guest. Romo gave one of the worst performances of his NFL career in that game.

The Dukes of Hazzard starlet wore a pink Dallas jersey with her sweetheart's number on it, and looked on as he threw three interceptions in the 10-6 home loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Three days later, star Dallas receiver Terrell Owens said that Simpson is "not a fan favourite in this locker room or in Texas Stadium," though he later apologized.

The rumours flew again when the pair took a week-long vacation in Mexico prior to the playoffs, which fans were quick to blame for the upset against New York.

The breakup came about after the couple couldn't agree on living arrangements — Romo refused to move to Los Angeles, and Simpson refused to leave.

"It was the moment he realized it wasn't going to work with Jessica in the long term," the source told OK!.

Prior to the Simpson affair, Romo's worst performance of his career came last season, also against the Eagles, with then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood cheering him on from the stands.