In June 2011, Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine decided to count down the best of the best, the top 25 plays in franchise history. Obviously, this wasn't the easiest of tasks, but some 30,000-plus words later, we feel pretty good about the results. Now here in a 25-part summer series, we share our list for one and all. Without further ado, we begin with No. 25, and a snippet from the Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine story:
25) Romo's Mad Dash, Sept. 30, 2007:
Tony Romo, at his swashbuckling best, runs for a miraculous first down against the St. Louis Rams after Andre Gurode's shotgun snap sails wildly over his overstretched arms, some 34 yards behind the line of scrimmage at Texas Stadium. After securing the ball, Romo was able to turn and, as only certain athletes can, slow his thoughts down within the moment, which allowed him to a) notice there wasn't really much pursuit by the Rams and b) make himself aware of potential blockers and more importantly, a running lane.
"When I first kicked it, I thought, 'Uh-oh, maybe I should've fallen on it," Romo said. "You have a sense that people are around you or you don't. And no one was around me."
Sure enough, as if strolling down the Yellow Brick Road sans the Wicked Witch of the West, Romo's path to the Emerald City, some 38 yards away via the first-down chains, was virtually without interruption.
All total, Romo ran about 65 yards. On the stat sheet, it was simply a four-yard rush for a first down.
Follow Jeff Sullivan: @SullyBaldHead.*
