BILL ROMANOWSKI

'William Thomas Romanowski' (born April 2, 1966 in Vernon, Connecticut) is a former American football player. He is commonly known as "Romo". 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.

Contents

Post-NFL Career

Altercations

Drug charges (Acquitted)

Lawsuit by Marcus Williams

Personal

References in popular culture

External links

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 ultra-competitive NFL. He's also featured in Midway Games

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. 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. Three 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; and in the third — in the AFC Championship game — Romanowski taunted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart following an interception Stewart had thrown in the third quarter of the game, won by Denver. 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.

Drug charges (Acquitted)

In August of 2000, Romanowski was indicted by a grand jury in Denver for allegedly obtaining phentermine, a diet drug with stimulant properties, under false pretenses; he was later acquitted of this charge. His wife Julie Romanowski was also charged along with her friend.

Lawsuit by Marcus Williams

On August 24, 2003, as a member of the Raiders, Romanowski punched backup tight end Marcus Williams in the face during a preseason scrimmage; Williams sustained a broken eye socket and was ultimately forced to retire, leading to Williams filing a civil lawsuit against Romanowski, seeking $3.8 million in damages. Following a three-week trial, a jury awarded Williams $340,000 in compensatory damages on March 22, 2005.

Personal

★ Family: married to wife Julie, with two children

★ Enjoys surfing, skiing, and cycling

★ Passion for nutrition still continues as he develops Nutrition 53

★ Musical Interests: The Beatles, Elton John, John Denver, Liberace.

★ One of his jobs as a teen was a farmer (milking cows)

★ A firm believer in Acupuncture.

References in popular culture

★ He is mentioned in the song Listen to The DJ by Z-Trip feat Soup of Jurassic 5 in the line "From the minute that they announce me, I'm quick to the mike and say peace to Romanowski".

External links

★ Nutrition53.com

★ 60 Minutes Interview Sept. 17, 2006, from interview Oct. 16, 2005