Romo: Prescott 'has earned the right to be our quarterback'

Tony Romo has conceded the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback job to Dak Prescott.

"He has earned the right to be our quarterback," Romo said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. "As hard as that is for me to say, he's earned that right."

Romo was very emotional making his announcement in the first media availability since injuring his back in the preseason. He did not take any questions following his statement.

At more than one point, it appeared Romo may be announcing his retirement, but the veteran shot down those thoughts.

"If you think for a second I don’t want to be out there, then you probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning," said Romo, according to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk. "That hasn’t left me. In fact, it may burn now more than ever."

"Football is a meritocracy," he added. "You’re not handed anything. I still want to play and compete."

The 36-year-old has been supportive of his team and its success through the first nine games of the season, but revealed that he has had personal struggles watching another quarterback lead his team.

"To say the first half of this season has been emotional would be a huge understatement. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you’ve had was a soul-crushing moment for me," said Romo. "It’s a dark place. Probably the darkest it’s ever been."