Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo called the last 24 hours a roller coaster of emotions.
Sunday's 20-19 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals marked the Cowboys' fourth win in their last five games. But wins and losses weren't as important as the recent loss of a teammate.
Several of the questions Romo faced centered on Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown, who was killed early Saturday morning after a car that was driven by Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent hit a curb and flipped on an Irving road.
"The last 24 hours has really been something I've never experienced and I think a lot of guys will tell you that," Romo said. "Loss is hard in life in general, especially people you see every single day and you're close with and you grind with, you're trying to accomplish a goal with. You go through a lot together.
"It is a very difficult thing this team is dealing with."
The victory improves the Cowboys record to 7-6 and keeps postseason hopes alive, but because his mind kept going back to a teammate he will never see again, Romo said celebrating a win would be difficult.
Although Brown had only been on the practice squad since October and hadn't appeared in a game with the Cowboys, Romo was around him often at the team's Valley Ranch practice facility.
"He was coming on, doing great," Romo said. "I talked to him. I'd walk by and say, ‘You keep doing what you're doing and you're going to be on the field.' He had a big smile. He's a guy who loved to play the game. And his spirit.
"I know you guys didn't get a chance to see him as much, but he embodies what you want as a football player with the attitude and the way he came every day. That's what you think about. You consistently go back to that, even in tough moments out there, the adverse situations, at the same time the positive. The win, the field goal going through, your brain kinda just, sit back and think about him, think about Josh and the tough situation he's obviously in now.
"I don't know what's right. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what you're supposed to do or feel or whatever. I just know there is a lot of things that go in and out of your thought process of this last 24 to 36 hours."
In regards to Brent, who was arrested Saturday morning on a charge of intoxication manslaughter, Romo said the team would be there for support.
"Josh is in a difficult situation," Romo added. "We're going to be here for him any way that we can. I know he's really torn up about this. Life doesn't always go the way you plan."
