Romo says Favre key to Packers' return to prominence

Although the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys share a contentious rivalry, Tony Romo couldn't help but laud his childhood hero Brett Favre on Wednesday.

Romo is a native of Burlington, Wisc., and grew up idolizing Favre during his tenure with the Packers.

Favre is slated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer, and Romo spoke about his importance to the Packers' organization Wednesday.

"Without Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers really aren’t the Green Bay Packers, even though they have a great history and (Vince) Lombardi and everything else that goes into it,” Romo said to ESPN's Todd Archer. "I was watching football before they had Brett Favre and Green Bay was not someone that you had to worry about on your schedule if you were playing in the NFL. I think he brought them back to prominence and made that organization’s standard of excellence and from there all the pieces started to fall into place."

Romo established an excellent career for himself, earning four Pro Bowl selections. However, the Cowboys quarterback still remains in awe of Favre.

"I still look up to him,” Romo said. "Anybody who grew up in Wisconsin, everyone knows who Brett Favre is and what he’s meant to Green Bay and Wisconsin life. They come around once in a generation. Green Bay’s been lucky enough to go from Brett to Aaron [Rodgers] and that’s just unrealistic in real life to have that happen in professional sports. But Brett getting inducted is one of the most no-brainer things that’s ever taken shape. I’m just glad to see the reunion of that two that has happened."

The Packers host the Cowboys on Oct. 16, and it's possible that Romo will pay homage to his idol ahead of the game.