Tony Romo became one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboys history before building a successful second career as a CBS Sports NFL analyst. But long before he was playing in front of packed NFL stadiums, Romo was a child growing up in Burlington, Wisconsin, in a hardworking family.
His parents are Ramiro Romo Jr. and Joan Jakubowski. Their family story includes military service, Mexican, Polish and German heritage, a Midwestern upbringing and the challenges that came with Ramiro’s battle with prostate cancer.
His Father
Ramiro Romo Jr. is Tony’s father.
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Tony was born in San Diego, California, on April 21, 1980, while Ramiro was serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed at the San Diego Naval Base. Because of his father’s military career, Tony is often described as a “Navy brat,” although Burlington, Wisconsin, became his hometown as he grew up.
After leaving the Navy, Ramiro returned with his family to Wisconsin. He worked as a carpenter and construction worker, helping provide a stable home for Tony and his two older sisters.
Mexican Heritage
Tony’s paternal family has Mexican roots.
His grandfather, Ramiro Romo Sr., immigrated to the United States from Múzquiz in Coahuila, Mexico, as a young person before eventually settling in Texas. That family history became an important part of Tony’s background.
The story of his grandfather’s immigration has also been connected with Tony’s own perspective on opportunity in the United States. Ramiro Sr. viewed his family’s experience as an example of what immigrants could achieve through work and education.
Tony therefore grew up with Mexican heritage on his father’s side while being raised in Wisconsin.
His Mother
Tony’s mother is Joan Jakubowski.
Joan has Polish and German ancestry and worked as a grocery-store clerk while raising her children in Burlington.
She and Ramiro raised Tony alongside his two older sisters, Jossalyn and Danielle. Tony was the youngest of the three children.
Joan’s role in the family has remained important even after Tony became a professional athlete and television personality.
Growing Up
Although Tony was born in California, his childhood was firmly rooted in Burlington.
The Burlington Historical Society identifies Romo as one of the Wisconsin community’s notable hometown figures. He attended Burlington High School and became a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, golf and baseball.
Interestingly, football was not the only sport that interested him as a child.
Romo played baseball in his youth and was selected to Little League All-Star teams in 1991 and 1992. His broad sporting background later helped him develop the athletic instincts that became central to his football career.
His Sisters
Tony grew up with two older sisters, Jossalyn and Danielle.
Being the youngest child meant that Tony was the only boy in the household. His childhood personality was reportedly energetic, and stories from the family have often portrayed him as an active child who was always involved in sports.
His parents supported that enthusiasm, allowing him to pursue different athletic interests before football eventually became his primary path.
Family Support
Tony has spoken warmly about his parents and the support they provided while he was growing up.
That support continued when he pursued football at Eastern Illinois University and eventually entered the NFL. Romo was not selected in the 2003 NFL Draft, but he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent and ultimately became the team’s starting quarterback.
His rise from an undrafted player to a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is one of the more distinctive stories in modern Cowboys history.
Ramiro’s Cancer Battle
One of the most difficult periods for the Romo family came in 2007, when Ramiro was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The diagnosis occurred during Tony’s early years as Dallas’ starting quarterback. At the time, Tony publicly discussed how emotionally difficult it was to learn that his father had cancer while he was simultaneously trying to establish himself in the NFL.
Nearly two decades later, Ramiro’s experience remains part of the family’s public story.
In 2026, Tony and his father participated in Bayer’s “Highlights REAL” campaign, using their personal experience to encourage conversations about advanced prostate cancer and the importance of making meaningful everyday moments count.
Father and Son
The cancer journey appears to have strengthened the bond between Tony and Ramiro.
In discussing his father’s illness in 2026, Tony described Ramiro as someone who remained strong even while dealing with the emotional and physical realities of cancer.
The campaign also highlighted their shared memories, including golf and family occasions. Ramiro and Tony have enjoyed golf together for years, giving them another activity that connects them outside football.
Joan’s Role
The 2026 campaign also highlighted Joan’s importance to the family.
Ramiro described his wife as someone who had supported him throughout his cancer journey. Tony’s parents have therefore remained a close presence in his life well beyond his playing career.
Tony has also become a father himself, giving him a different perspective on the relationship between parents and children.
His Parents Today
As of 2026, Ramiro and Joan remain an important part of Tony Romo’s family life.
Their story stretches from a military posting in California to raising three children in Wisconsin and supporting Tony through his journey from a small-town athlete to an NFL star and prominent broadcaster.
Ramiro’s prostate cancer experience has also given the family a public platform to discuss an issue that affects many men and their caregivers.
Tony Romo’s parents are Ramiro Romo Jr. and Joan Jakubowski.
Ramiro served in the U.S. Navy before working in construction and carpentry, while Joan worked as a grocery-store clerk as the family settled in Burlington, Wisconsin. Tony’s paternal heritage traces back to Mexico through his grandfather, while his mother’s family has Polish and German roots.
Their influence extended far beyond Tony’s childhood. They supported him through his multi-sport youth, college football career, unexpected path into the NFL and eventual transition into broadcasting.
