Mavs send their favorite Cowboy riding into sunset

DALLAS - Coach Rick Carlisle draped his arm around Tony Romo as the crowd roared in the final minutes of the Dallas Mavericks' tribute game for the retiring Cowboys quarterback.

Fans desperately wanted to see the career passing leader for the storied Cowboys NFL franchise get in for at least a few seconds in a meaningless 109-91 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, and he was acting looking like he might play.

But it wasn't going to happen because Romo wasn't on the roster and didn't sign a contract.