Football feels 'less pure' for Tony Romo with gambling influence

Around the Super Bowl, gambling has always been a popular point of conversation. But throughout the past few years, it’s become more common throughout the regular season. Advertisements are constantly shown during the games and some people watch the NFL solely due to their bets.

In the past, few broadcasters have acknowledged gambling. Al Michaels is the most famous for it but always did so in a subtle way. He will never directly mention the lines of point total but does acknowledge all the gamblers out there when applicable.

Not everybody is comfortable with the idea though, with CBS’ Tony Romo more focused on the outcome of the game than one team covering a spread or a point total going over.

Romo believes football has lost some purity due to gambling becoming such a big aspect of the sport.

“To me, it’s like a slippery slope,” Romo said via The Athletic. “I grew up where we never talked about or thought about lines or anything like that in football. The angle that I try to communicate to the audience is how to win this game for this team, or not to lose it in some cases.

“But once you start going into that world, it strikes me as you’ve got to be great at two things. Now you’re affecting people’s lives with what you’re saying in some way. It just makes it feel less pure and less like the stuff that you grew up on.”

Romo will be calling this year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers which will be played in… Las Vegas.

Fans across the country are going to gamble on the game and not just the outcome. Hundreds of prop bets will be available. Whether it’s the coin toss or the color of the winning team coach’s Gatorade shower, plenty of money will be on the line Sunday evening.

According to the American Gaming Association, a record number of wagers will be placed this year, totaling 67.8 million American adults and $23.1 billion.

As of Tuesday, San Francisco is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5 being on the board. When the action gets underway and potentially is tight down the stretch, you can bet against Romo mentioning the financial implications people have watching the game at home.

For the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, it’s always just been about winning and losing a game.