Aug
Romero knows how to impress fans
Courtesy Edmonton Journal:
It started out as a sign to his wife and eventually his kids at home watching him play, but it is slowly becoming a bit of a cult following for fans.
Dario Romero’s snap-bat or crackin’-heads sack celebration is lifting fans out of their seats at Commonwealth Stadium.
Four times this season the Edmonton Eskimos defensive tackle has had the opportunity to raise his fingers in the air, give them a wiggle, raise his leg up and make a quick, downward cracking motion. It all occurs after sacking an opposing Canadian Football League quarterback.
“It’s just how I feel. I’ve been doing it for awhile now. It’s just a release of energy,” smiled Romero, of his now patented manoeuvre.
“It just came out one time, my wife liked it and I just kept doing it,” said Romero, who developed the signature move while playing in Montreal. “That’s all it is. My family(wife Tiffany and kids Dario Jr., Waylon and Miles) knows what I’m doing and it’s kind of like a hello. Instead of blowing them a kiss, I do that.”
But suddenly fans have waded in and then sit, anxiously, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Romero rumba, as it were. A victory dance, of sorts.
His Eskimos teammates are certainly getting a kick out of it.
“It’s definitely it’s own thing. Sort of like a half-kick, he doesn’t want to full kick and pull a hamstring or something. But it works for him,” laughed defensive end Kai Ellis, who with three sacks of his own, trails Romero for the team lead by one.
Romero just lately has added the finger wiggle to launch the ceremony, almost enticing fans to join in.
“It’s like an Hawaiian-dancing thing or maybe it’s just magic fingers with the magic touch,” chuckled Ellis.
“He felt something and went with it and it’s become a fun thing. He also, from time-to-time, throws in the safe sign at the plate to go with it.”
Hey, whatever works, and certainly none of the Esks are going to get into the six-foot-three, 300-pounder’s way once those taped-up fingers start reaching for the sky after they’ve brought down a QB.
“I’m still trying to come up with one of my own (celebrations). But I’m not actually getting my whole leg up to pull that one off,” laughed rookie defensive end Greg Peach.
“He’s got his own little thing, but whenever we get (a sack) he just sweeps over and tackles us and starts beating on us. It’s cool, it’s his thing.”
But as intense as Romero is on the field, he’s as playful off it. That wry little smile of his, that raises his eyebrows just a tad, is an inviting way to say hello.
Peach witnessed it first-hand, joining the Esks this summer from Romero’s alma mater, Eastern Washington.
“He’s the most intense guy on the field, for both teams. Off the field, he’s just a chill dude,” laughed Peach, who has two sacks of his own this season. “He just likes to hang out and play Rock Band all day –for real.
“Coming from the same school, I’ve known about him since I first got there, four years ago. Once I got here, we started hanging out and he’s shown me the ropes of the CFL.”
Romero, a CFL West all-star last season, currently leads the team in sacks with four and is now piquing everyone’s interest with his jubilation.
“I hope to be cracking bats all year,” laughed Romero. “It’s not too much or too flashy, just real quick and subtle.
“The guys (his teammates) love it. They know it’s coming. What I try now is wriggle my fingers to the crowd.”
Which has taken the celebration to a whole new level.
TACKLING HUNGER:The Purolator Tackle Hunger program heads to Commonwealth on Saturday as the Esks host Hamilton at 5 p. m. Fans are encouraged to donate food bank items. Purolator also donates the quarterback’s weight in food for each time one gets sacked, with proceeds going to the local food bank. mannicchiarico@thejournal. canwest.com
