Tony Romo is finally on his way to a Super Bowl, albeit not in the way he originally envisioned.

The former franchise quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has rapidly seen himself go from America's favorite sports figure to hate to the broadcaster they absolutely can not live without. The 2016 season was an emotionally tumultuous one for the four-time pro bowler, who went down on Aug. 25 with yet another back injury in what could've been the most dynamic season of his career. It would open the door for fourth-round pick Dak Prescott, who took the reins and never looked back. Romo, being a class act and consummate leader, conceded the starting role officially the following November and went out with a bang against the Philadelphia Eagles -- effortlessly marching the Cowboys down the field on a six-play, 81-yard drive punctuated by a touchdown to wide receiver Terrance Williams.

And so the next leg of his journey began. Romo would leave the field and his playing days in the NFL for good. His release in Spring 2017 was amicable, and even included the Cowboys relinquishing his football rights -- something they weren't required to do. He'd immediately take up the post as No. 1 color commentator for CBS Sports, and Romo hasn't just been colorful.

He's been an 800-count pack of Crayola.

The four-time pro bowler has now been nominated for an Emmy for his stellar rookie debut in the booth as well as being named Sports Illustrated's "2017 Media Person of the Year".

No analyst has had a better year than Romo, who went straight from the field to the booth. Not only did Romo give viewers insight they hadn't heard before while bringing passion and energy, he seemed to reinvigorate Nantz. One thing to keep an eye on: The past couple of weeks, Romo has toned down his habit of calling plays before they happen. My fear throughout the season was that some CBS suit would get to Romo and suggest changes. I'm afraid this has happened, Romo has still had the best year of any analyst in the NFL.

And now, Romo will level up and call Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta alongside compatriot Jim Nantz. Never able to land in the Big Game over the course of his career, a fact that has now become the "biggest regret" of owner Jerry Jones -- who readily admits the Cowboys' front office failed to give Romo all the tools to do so -- it'll be the biggest test of the former QB's young broadcasting career, having not been given the nod to call Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis. He'll also join Nantz and Tracy Wolfson to call the AFC Playoffs, including the AFC Championship game, and if you're wondering when you'll hear his voice grace a Cowboys' broadcast again -- you'll get two consecutive shots at it and not again during the 2018 season, unless they're on the field in North Georgia come February:

Week 6: Jaguars at Cowboys (Oct. 14, 4:25pm EST) Week 7: Cowboys at Redskins (Oct. 21, 4:25pm EST)

Saying Romo is pretty good at what he does is an understatement, as his predictive and excitable style of play-calling has turned the world of broadcasting on its proverbial ear, so much so there were those in the old guard who vilified him for exposing too much of the game.

A football analyst who actually analyzes? Oh, dear. Someone burn Romo at the stake for his sins, lest we all become obligated to do the jobs we're paid to do.

In the end, it's his world and now he'll see longtime best friend and former teammate Jason Witten make his appearance this fall on ESPN, replacing Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football. No stranger to filling big shoes, Witten also noted how Romo is aiding his transition from the gridiron to the microphone, now taking the mantle as the newest former Cowboys' star to make the leap. Considering the sizable head start, there's a lot the former QB can teach his former TE, quite the difference from when they both met for the first time in the locker room at Valley Ranch in 2003.

They were both still green behind the gills as it related to professional football but now two of the sharpest NFL minds around, they're the new guard everyone will tune in to watch. And being quite honest here, hearing Romo call the most important game of the season is a setup for fantastic television.

Thanks to him, sportscasting will never be the same.