Romo to Attend This Year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Mr. Romo goes to Washington…

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is among the Hispanic celebrities expected to attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the final dinner of President Barack Obama’s administration.

Romo will attend the event as a guest of Fox News Channel, alongside the WWE and Total Divas star Nikki Bella, who will soon be appearing opposite her twin sister Brie in E!’s Total Bellas reality series.

The 90th annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner will take place on Saturday. It’ll be hosted by Comedy Central’s Larry Wilmore.

Other Hispanic celebrities on the guest list include Rosario Dawson as a guest of Time magazine, and Christy Turington Burns as a guest of the Wall Street Journal.

Here’s a look at the list so far:

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
Cheryl Boone Isaacs (AMPAS President)
Chris Dodd (MPAA CEO)
Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day: Resurgence)
John Cena and Nikki Bella (WWE)
JC Chasez (N’Sync)
Ryan Kwanten (True Blood)
Sela Ward (Independence Day: Resurgence)
Jeff Goldblum (Independence Day: Resurgence)
Cheryl Ladd (Charlie’s Angels – 40 year anniversary of the show)
Gladys Knight
Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)
Toks Olagundoye (Castle)

ABC NEWS
Will Smith (Suicide Squad)
Jada Pinkett Smith (Magic Mike XXL)
Shonda Rhimes (Scandal EP, among many other things)
Kerry Washington (Scandal)
Tony Goldwyn (Scandal)
Scott Foley (Scandal)
Anthony Anderson (black-ish)
Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish)
Kenya Barris (black-ish creator/EP)
Whoopi Goldberg (The View)
Joy Behar (The View)
Paula Farris (The View)
Raven-Symone (The View)
Michelle Collins (The View)

THOMSON REUTERS
Michael Kelly (House of Cards)
Illana Glazer (Broad City)
Abbi Jacobson (Broad City)
Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey)
Von Miller (Denver Broncos, Super Bowl MVP)
Odell Beckham, Jr., (New York Giants)

CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NEWORK
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/The View)

BLOOMBERG
Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Star Wars Episode VIII)

NBC NEWS
Jaime Alexander (Blindspot)

TIME
Neve Campbell (House of Cards)
Priyanka Chopra (Quantico)
Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
Rosario Dawson (Daredevil)
Miles Teller (Divergent franchise)
Kendall Jenner (Keeping Up With The Kardashians)
Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs)

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Ed Burns (Public Morals)
Christy Turington Burns

Alonso Undergoes Surgery and Should Return for Play This Season

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Kiko Alonso will be heading back on the field this season…

The 25-year-old Cuban/Colombian American linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this week and will be able to play again this season, according to an NFL source.

Alonso, who injured the knee in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, could return to the Eagles as early as a few weeks from now, the source told ESPN.

It was originally thought that Alonso had suffered a significant ACL tear, but further testing showed that was not the case.

The main reason he’s expected to play again this season is that there is good stability in his left ACL, the source said.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday that Alonso was rehabbing the knee and that the team would see him Friday.

Kelly has been asked a few times about the injury since Week 2, but only would say that Alonso had a sprain.

Castro to Star in Ang Lee’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Arturo Castro has a long walk ahead of him…

The 29-year-old Guatemalan actor has joined the cast of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Ang Lee’s feature adaptation of the Ben Fountain novel.

The film follows a group of servicemen sent on a “victory tour” after returning from combat in Iraq. Billy Lynn and his comrades will return to battle after the tour ends with a halftime show of a Dallas Cowboys football game on Thanksgiving Day.

Castro will play Marcellino “Mango” Montoya, a steady and skeptical member of Lynn’s Bravo Company who has become a pretty good amateur politician, speaking to Latino groups in Spanish in praise of military esprit de corps.

Castro portrays Jaime on Comedy Central’s Broad City. Other recent credits include appearances on television’s The Good Wife and the features Sun Belt Express and Indigo Children.

He next appears in Mi America, Kid Witness and Memoir.

Romo Rallies the Dallas Cowboys in Final Minutes to Beat the New York Giants

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Romo has a giant(s) second half to lead his team to victory…

The 34-year-old Mexican American Dallas Cowboys quarterback made critical plays in the second half to beat the New York Giants on Sunday night.

Romo threw two touchdown passes to Dez Bryant, the winner from 13 yards with 1:01 remaining, lifting the Cowboys to a comeback 31-28 victory.

“You gain an understanding that you’re never really out of it,” Romo said. “You are comfortable being in uncomfortable situations. That comes from having been through it and going out and finding a way to win. Once you do that a few times, the team can believe in that.”

Romo could’ve written a book on winning drives while staging this one; he never was pressured in leading the Cowboys 80 yards to the winning score.

“Any time you’re afforded the amount of time at the end of the game, it’s huge,” he said. “They (the offensive line) are a special group of guys who work their butts off and deserve a lot of credit for this game and this season.”

Romo threw for two TDs in the third quarter and Barry Church‘s interception helped turn things around for the Cowboys. But the Giants (3-8), trailing 24-21, staged a 93-yard drive capped by Adrien Robinson‘s first career TD catch. That 1-yard score with 3 minutes remaining could’ve snapped New York’s slide that now stands at six losses.

Dallas (8-3) roared back. Romo found Bryant in the back of the end zone to win it, setting up an NFC East showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day for first place.

“Now we have another challenge coming up real quick,” Romo said. “Philly is playing great football so we’re going to have to play better than we did tonight to win that game.”

Dallas, which was treated to chants of “Let’s Go Cowboys!” in the second half from hundreds of fans in Cowboys garb, is 5-0 on the road. New York was eliminated from division contention.

Romo was 18-of-26 for 275 yards and never appeared bothered by back problems that sidelined him for one of the Cowboys’ defeats this year.

Escobar Shines in the Dallas Cowboys Victory Over the New York Giants

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a memorable NFL Sunday for Gavin Escobar with the Sporting News asking if he could be “the Cowboys next big thing.”

The 23-year-old half-Puerto Rican professional football player – a second-year tight end for Dallas – logged the first two-touchdown game of his NFL career on Sunday in his team’s 31-21 over the New York Giants, including a spectacular grab between defenders on his second touchdown of the day.

Escobar’s first scoring catch came in the first quarter, when he caught a 15 year pass from Tony Romo to give the Cowboys the first points of the game.

No. 89 then followed it up with his second score of the game in the third quarter with a spectacular catch in the end zone to break a 14-14 tie.

By the end of Dallas’ win, Escobar had a more impressive stat line (3 catches, 65 yards, 21.7 average, 2 TDs) than fellow tight end Jason Witten (2 catches, 27 yards, 13.5 avg., 0 TDs). Plus, Escobar was targeted three times, one more than Witten.

After the game, tight ends coach Mike Pope, fired by the Giants’ Tom Coughlin last winter, was given the game ball.

“You know he was loving this,” Escobar told reporters.

Escobar’s improved performance comes after ESPN reported that his role in the Cowboys offense was decreasing. But it looks like the second-round draft pick is stepping up his game in the face of adversity.

In the past couple weeks, Escobar has risen to the occasion in crucial moments for Romo, and has a good chance of becoming a key component of the team’s offense moving forward. He has found the end zone three times in two weeks, and clearly has the trust of Romo.

As a result, the San Diego State University product has been rewarded with more playing time by head coach Jason Garrett, and now he’s being heralded as the Cowboys next big thing.

Trejo to Compete in Beer Sales Competition at This Week’s Cowboys Game to Support ¡Adelante!

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Trejo is ready to sell beer for a good cause…

The 70-year-old Mexican American actor and Machete star will go head to head the Discovery Channel’s Richard Rawlings during a friendly beer sales competition scheduled to take place before the start of the September 28 Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium.

The competition has been orchestrated by Miller Lite as part of its is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

Trejo and Rawlings from Discovery Channel’s Fast N’ Loud will each have 30 minutes to sell as much beer as possible in the Miller Lite Corral in order to be declared the winner.

Miller Lite will make a $10,000 donation on behalf of the winning celebrity to ¡Adelante! U.S. Education Leadership Fund, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing leadership development and scholarships for Hispanic college students.

“We are delighted to add extra excitement to the Miller Lite Corral during the game that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. We hope consumers also get excited about it and choose to take part in the friendly competition or at least cheer on their favorite celebrity,” said Paul Stiff, MillerCoors regional alliances manager for the central region of Texas. “We encourage our fans to join in on the celebration, experience our new packaging, and enjoy some Miller Time before the game.”

An on-field check presentation will take place during halftime to announce the winner and present the funds to ¡Adelante! Miller Lite’s donation will be used to help further the education and professional development of Latino students.

Romo Helps the Dallas Cowboys Roar Back to Beat the St. Louis Rams

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Romo is Dallas’ “Comeback King”…

The 34-year-old Mexican American NFL quarterback stayed cool, calm and collected in the late stretch to help lead his Dallas Cowboys to a massive come-from-behind win against the St. Louis Rams.

“No one ever comes that wide open,” Romo said of his 68-yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant that was among the big plays that helped the Cowboys erase a 21-0 deficit and stun the Rams 34-31 on Sunday. “You want to make sure you don’t do anything stupid.”

Romo’s impressive performance down the stretch help the team match its biggest comeback in franchise history, and helped give him his own franchise best record.

The Cowboys (2-1) had plenty of time to chip away, and no one panicked about the cushion they’d spotted the Rams.

“We never blinked, I can honestly say that,” Bryant said.

Romo has 21 comeback victories in the fourth quarter or overtime, a franchise best.

“Tony went out there and did what Tony do,” Bryant said. “He was poised and he knew what he wanted to do.”

Terrance Williams scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and Bruce Carter returned an interception 25 yards for a TD on the next snap, capping the rally.

DeMarco Murray‘s 1-yard run late in the first half began the comeback.

Dallas also rallied from a 21-point deficit in 1984 against the New Orleans Saints and 1999 against the Washington Redskins, although both of those wins came in overtime.

It tied the second-largest lead blown by the Rams (1-2), who slowed Murray but got burned everywhere else. Among other breakdowns was a flubbed snap by center Scott Wells, who didn’t realize Austin Davis was in the shotgun, resulting in a lost fumble, and a. They settled for a field goal.

“I feel like I let this game slip through my hands and it’s my fault,” said Jared Cook, who dropped a touchdown pass that could have put the Rams up 28-21

Romo was 4 for 5 for 40 yards and scrambled 16 yards on third-and-13 on the go-ahead drive. His second-half play overshadowed a third costly INT of the year.

“We were able to execute under pressure or whatever you want to say, blah, blah, blah,” Romo said. “We got it done.”

Gomez Headlines Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Game Halftime Show

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez has returned to her Dallas area roots this Thanksgiving… in a big way.

The 21-year-old half-Mexican singer/actress, a Grand Prarie, Texas native, returned home to headline the Dallas Cowboys–Oakland Raiders halftime show.

Gomez energetically rocked the stage at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving day as she performed on behalf of The Salvation Army.

Donning a sexy bodysuit, a fringe leather skirt and a pair of gold gladiator wedges, Gomez kicked off her three-song set with “Like a Champion.”

In the middle of performing her current hit “Slow Down“, the former Disney Channel star shed the skirt and revealed a pair of leather hot pants.

Gomez, who was joined by several dancers, cheerleaders and flag bearers, then concluded her set with “Come and Get It“.

All three songs appear on Stars Dance, the singer’s latest chart-topping album.

Charlotte Anderson, the Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer, has explained why the team decided to have Gomez perform during the halftime show. Anderson, who is also the first woman chair of the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, said that she wanted someone who can inspire a new generation.

“Particularly this year, clearly with Selena Gomez, the whole concept is to mobilize a younger generation,” Anderson explained. “This generation is yards ahead of us in terms of how they communicate. She is the perfect person to go to when you’re trying to reach that generation.”

“If we can inspire people to give and help the Salvation Army, then we can help people one step at a time and really help address significant problems,” she added.

Romo Agrees to a Lucrative Six-Year Extension with the Dallas Cowboys

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Tony Romo is making history in the “Big D”…

The 32-year-old Mexican American NFL quarterback has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, a blockbuster six-year extension worth a whopping $108 million, making him the highest paid player in franchise history.

In the first year of the extension, Romo will make $26.5 million, and after two years, he will make $40 million. Romo’s money over the first three years — with the likelihood that Dallas keeps him the next three seasons — will be $57 million.

Romo now has a seven-year deal worth $119.5 million, of which $11.5 million was included as part of a $25 million signing bonus spread over the course of the deal. The $11.5 million is what Romo was set to make in 2013 before the extension.

“In today’s game, every NFL franchise understands the importance of production and continuity at the quarterback position, and, historically, few franchises have enjoyed those benefits more than the Dallas Cowboys,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “We are very confident in this investment and commitment.”

Romo’s salary-cap number was $16.8 million in the final year of his current deal, but he now will count $11.8 million against it, saving the Cowboys $5 million. His average salary for six more years will be $18 million. For 2013, Romo receives a base salary of $1.5 million.

As part of the deal, Romo will receive $55 million guaranteed from the Cowboys.

“I am excited about the year ahead and some of the changes that we have made to allow us to be a better team going forward,” Romo said in a statement. “This is an organization that always gives us a chance to win, and that is always the main focus here. We haven’t had the type of success that we have all wanted the last few years, but I do know that we are on the verge of doing that.”

The Cowboys had hoped to sign Romo to an extension last summer, but the quarterback put the contract talks on hold so he could concentrate on the season.

Negotiations heated up this week, when the Cowboys submitted their first proposal before Romo’s side countered with its own. Negotiations continued at a feverish pace once a framework for the deal was established and middle ground was eventually reached.

This is the fourth contract Romo has signed with the Cowboys since joining the organization in 2003. He signed a six-year, $67 million deal in 2007.

Romo is the Cowboys’ all-time leader with 174 touchdown passes and holds the franchise’s single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns.

Cowboys Looking to Sign Romo to Long-Term Contract

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Is Tony Romo the integral part of the Dallas Cowboys’ game plan to returning to the Super Bowl?

The franchise’s executive vice president Stephen Jones says the Cowboys believe that to be the case; and the team wants to sign the 32-year-old Mexican-American quarterback to a long-term contract.

“Tony is a key piece of what we’re about going forward,” said Jones. “We’re certainly going to be looking at his situation (in) time.

“We’ve historically (extended contracts) with quarterbacks for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of time. We did it with Troy (Aikman) and we certainly want to look at that with Tony so we can all move forward in terms of how we want to play around our salary cap with our team. Tony is the key piece in terms of how your cap is represented.”

Romo, who is currently in the last year of his contract, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $11.5 million in 2013. His salary cap figure is a team-high $16.8 million.

The Cowboys, like all NFL teams, have until March 12 to get under the expected $121 million cap. The Cowboys are roughly $20 million over that figure, so lowering Romo’s cap number by extending his contract is an important part of that process.

“I don’t feel pressed,” said Jones. “I don’t think we’ve ever felt pressed with Tony. He’s been a great partner. As I said, your quarterback, even when you have a good one and we’re certainly lucky to have one of the best, is going to represent a good piece of your salary cap. How you manage that is important. He understands that and we do, too.”

Jones wouldn’t get into specifics about how much the team wants to pay, but Romo could command a three- to five-year deal with an average salary of at least $12 million, slightly more than what he received in his last contract.

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