MILWAUKEE (AP) – CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was recently stopped by police and subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Authorities reported that Romo had an open container of alcohol in his vehicle at the time of the stop, which took place last week.
According to citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the "open bottle of an alcoholic beverage" was located in the passenger's side of Romo’s black Jeep during an inventory conducted before the vehicle was towed. The incident occurred after police observed Romo driving on Interstate 43, where he was seen passing cars in a gore area, the section of roadway separating interstate traffic from vehicles entering from an on-ramp. During the traffic stop, Romo allegedly expressed confusion about what a gore area was, which further raised the suspicion of law enforcement.
Romo reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests conducted by the deputies and was subsequently taken into custody. He was booked and later released. Court records indicate that he was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication after his arrest. Romo is scheduled to appear in court on September 21.
Body camera footage released earlier this week revealed that Romo had been coming from a golf course and was en route to visit his grandparents when he was stopped by police. A deputy at the scene noted that he suspected Romo might be impaired due to the presence of "red glassy eyes" and an "odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage."
Romo has personal ties to the area, having attended high school approximately 35 miles away from Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin. The 46-year-old is best known for his successful NFL career as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, which spanned from 2004 to 2016 and included four Pro Bowl appearances. Since 2017, he has served as the lead game analyst for CBS's NFL coverage.
Throughout his time with the Cowboys, Romo established himself as a franchise leader in several key metrics, including career touchdown passes, with a total of 248. He held the record for career passing yards (34,183) until it was surpassed by current Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott last season.
The developments surrounding Romo's arrest come as a shock to many fans and analysts alike, who have closely followed his transition from player to broadcaster. As the legal proceedings unfold, the consequences for Romo regarding his suspected DUI and refusal to undergo testing remain to be seen, alongside his scheduled court appearance next month.
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