Tony Romo has publicly declared that he has entered a no-contest plea to charges stemming from an incident in Wisconsin where he was accused of driving under the influence. In his statement, shared via Instagram, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports analyst emphasized his commitment to taking responsibility for his actions that occurred earlier this summer.
Romo expressed his focus on returning to CBS as he navigates the implications of his plea. He revealed that his reliance on alcohol developed following multiple back surgeries, which initially led him to depend on painkillers, ultimately transitioning to alcohol as a means of coping.
“As I teach my three young sons, when you make a mistake, it is crucial to take full responsibility,” Romo noted in his post, which was presented as an image. “Recognizing this is just the beginning; the more difficult task is reflecting on the choices that led to this point and implementing necessary changes for the future.”
The former athlete mentioned that he is collaborating with healthcare professionals to improve his well-being. He also expressed appreciation for the support he has received from loved ones and the NFL community, while requesting time for privacy.
Romo’s statement received an outpouring of supportive messages from his followers.
According to an arrest report, Romo was stopped by law enforcement on July 27 while driving south on I-43 near downtown Milwaukee. The report indicated that he did not perform well during a field sobriety test, leading to his arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The footage captured him being pulled over, exiting his vehicle, and subsequently undergoing the sobriety tests.
After being booked at the Milwaukee County Jail, Romo was released later that evening.
Recently, three additional charges were filed against him, including unsafe passing on the right, possession of open intoxicants, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. These new citations were recorded in Milwaukee County court documents filed on Thursday. His original citation from July also included a refusal to submit to an intoxication test.
As of now, there is no definitive timeline for Romo’s return to the CBS broadcast booth. CBS Sports president David Berson stated in August that there were no updates regarding Romo’s future.
“We are still evaluating the situation as it unfolds,” Berson explained during a network event.
He noted that the decision to place Romo on indefinite leave was made to redirect focus toward the games rather than his ongoing legal issues. “We had to think about how this would affect our brand and image, which is a priority for us. Our focus should be on our game presentation, not on external factors,” he added.
During Romo’s absence, former defensive end J.J. Watt, who spent much of his career with the Houston Texans, has joined play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ main NFL coverage team. Their inaugural game together is set for September 13, featuring the Minnesota Vikings against the Green Bay Packers.
Watt started his role with CBS in 2023, having worked as an analyst on “The NFL Today” for two seasons before partnering with Ian Eagle on the network’s second-tier crew last season. Additionally, Ross Tucker has been elevated to the No. 2 team, having previously collaborated with Eagle on radio broadcasts for Westwood One.
Romo, now 46, has been the lead analyst for CBS’s NFL coverage since 2017, following a playing career that spanned from 2004 to 2016 with the Dallas Cowboys, during which he earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Contributions to this report were made by Steven Rosenbaum and Briauna Brown.
