Eastern Illinois University has a remarkably proud, outsized legacy of developing elite football talent that successfully advanced to professional careers in the National Football League. Most famously, legendary record-setting quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Tony Romo starred for the Panthers before embarking on an iconic career with the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, former Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton and standout NFL offensive lineman and coach Brad Childress also share deep historical ties to the university's football program.