Bill Romanowski

NFLretired


caption=
position=Linebacker
number=53
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|4|2
Vernon, Connecticut
debutyear=1988
finalyear=2003
draftyear=1988
draftround=3
draftpick=80
college=Boston College
teams=
* San Francisco 49ers (1988-1993)
* Philadelphia Eagles (1994-1995)
* Denver Broncos (1996-2001)
* Oakland Raiders (2002-2003)
stat1label=Tackles
stat1value=1,116
stat2label=Sacks
stat2value=39.5
stat3label=Interceptions
stat3value=18
nfl=ROM323001
highlights=
* Cotton Bowl MVP (1985)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (1996, 1998)
* 2x All-Pro selection (1996, 1998)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

William Thomas Romanowski (born April 2, 1966) is an American former football player. He is commonly known as "Romo".

He was born in Vernon, Connecticut. A linebacker, he graduated from Rockville High School in 1984, Boston College in 1988 (with academic honors and Scanlan Award Recipient), and then went on to a 16-year career in the NFL, playing for the San Francisco 49ers (1988-1993), Philadelphia Eagles (1994-1995), Denver Broncos (1996-2001), and Oakland Raiders (2002-2003). He played 243 consecutive games, an NFL record among linebackers, won 4 Super Bowl Championships, and is the only linebacker to start 5 Super Bowl Games (Super Bowl XXIII, Super Bowl XXIV, Super Bowl XXXII, Super Bowl XXXIII and Super Bowl XXXVII). In his rookie season, Romanowski made a big impact for the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII, recording a third quarter interception that set up a San Francisco field goal. He is one of only three players in NFL history to win back to back Super Bowls with two different organizations (San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos). During his 16 year career, Romanowski compiled 1,105 tackles, 39.5 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, and 18 interceptions, which he returned for a net total of 98 yards and 1 career touchdown. Romanowski was a Pro Bowl selection twice, in 1996 and 1998, both during his tenure with the Denver Broncos.

Altercations

Romanowski has been involved in numerous altercations with both teammates and opponents. In 1989, while with the 49ers, he had one with offensive tackle Harris Barton after Barton had taken exception to a hit Romanowski had made on wide receiver Jerry Rice during a practice session.http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2003/12/27/2003085389] In 1995, while with the Eagles, he was ejected from a game — and subsequently fined $4,500 — for kicking Arizona Cardinals running back Larry Centers in the head.http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20020222/ai_n10001652]

Two more incidents occurred during the 1997 season while he played for the Broncos: In the first, he was fined $20,000 after his hit on then-Carolina Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins in a preseason game resulted in Collins sustaining a broken jaw; in the second, Romanowski spat in the face of 49ers wide receiver J.J. Stokes in a regular-season game played in December on a Monday night in response to Stokes' taunting. Two years later, while still with the Broncos, he was fined a total of $42,500 for three illegal hits plus a punch thrown at Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, and was also fined an undisclosed amount for throwing a football at Bryan Cox of the New York Jets, the ball hitting him in the crotch area.http://sfist.com/2007/04/16/why_all_the_bill_romanowski_love.php]

In 2003, Romanowski injured one of his teammates, Marcus Williams, during a scrimmage. Williams, a backup tight end for the Oakland Raiders, was forced to retire after Romanowski crushed his eye socket with a punch. Williams took him to court seeking $3.4 million. Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice, who had played with Romanowski, said that he had "crossed the line" in an admittedly violent sport. Williams was awarded $340,000. Though this was only a tenth of what he sought, Williams said that it was not really about the money but that he and his attorneys "just wanted to prove what was right and wrong about football". Records seized by the government belonging to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative, later discovered to be the source of a designer steroid, indicate that he was involved with the company starting in 2000. In an October 16, 2005 appearance on 60 Minutes, Romanowski admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone that he received from Victor Conte, BALCO owner.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/balco-timeline.htm]

Post-NFL career

Romanowski was featured in movies such as "The Longest Yard" and "The Benchwarmers". His next movie appearances include "Weiners" and "Get Smart." Bill released an auto-biography in 2005 titled "Romo." It chronicles his childhood, college, and his playing times in the NFL. He is also featured on the cover of the Midway Games title and adds his voice as Bruno Battaglia, a linebacker in the game who wears his 53. He also appears in NCAA Football Series indirectly as LB #53 for the 1984 Boston College Eagles. In 2006, he founded [http://www.nutrition53.com Nutrition 53] , a nutritional supplement company dedicated to optimal life performance. The company's name is derived from Romanowski's football career number, 53. Romanowski is active in the internet community and media through a blog, facebook page and regular appearances on the Rick and Bubba Show.

In 2008, Bill was an assistant coach for the Piedmont freshman football team, where his son, Dalton Romanowski plays.

References

External links

* [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/13/60minutes/main941102.shtml| 60 Minutes Interview] Sept. 17, 2006, from interview Oct. 16, 2005
*imdb name | id=1665399 | name=Bill Romanowski