Duke University basketball has many celebrity fans, including actor Ken Jeong and former NFL running back Todd Gurley III. But Friday night, the fourth-seeded Blue Devils received a surprise visit from another famous fan during their 54-51 victory over top-seeded Houston at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
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After the postgame celebration, the team was treated to a visit from Tony Romo, former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and current anchor for CBS. Romo is a well-documented Duke basketball fan, attending Friday's game with his sons.
After Romo hovered in the locker room doorway while head coach John Scheyer spoke to the team, Scheyer approached the four-time Pro Bowler and gave him a chance to speak to the team. With everyone in the room in high spirits, Romo quickly addressed his team, making fun of both his advanced age and Scheyer.
“I don't know if you guys know this, but just to be clear, I'm a Duke fan,” the 43-year-old said. “While you were all in diapers, I was teaching Shire how to play basketball.”
The former Cowboy remained in the locker room and posed for photos with players, including shots with Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipovski, and was at Duke University late Friday night. Shared on basketball's social media accounts.
Sunday's Elite Eight game against 11th-seeded North Carolina State will be played in Dallas starting at 5:05 p.m. ET, so Scheyer will be there to watch Romo watch the Blue Devils try to earn a ticket to the Final Four. confirmed that he would be back.
After assuring them that “I'm not going to miss anything,” the 14-year NFL veteran gave the Blue Devils one piece of coaching advice.
“When you play defense like that and box out like that, you never lose.”
Duke is aiming for the program's 18th Final Four appearance.
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