Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, is now facing three additional citations following his arrest last month on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence in Wisconsin. Romo, who was apprehended on July 23, has now seen the charges against him amended to include citations for possessing open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, unsafe passing on the right, and first-offense operating while intoxicated. Previously, he had also received a citation for refusing to take a breath test for intoxication after his arrest.
As a consequence of these legal troubles, Romo has been placed on leave from his position as CBS's lead analyst for NFL games. CBS Sports president David Berson has stated that there is no specific timeline regarding any decisions about Romo's future with the network. Romo, aged 46, has been with CBS since 2017 and has previously enjoyed a successful playing career, during which he made four Pro Bowl appearances and led the Cowboys as their franchise quarterback from 2004 to 2016.
During Romo's absence, analyst JJ Watt will step in to join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS's lead NFL team. They are scheduled to cover their first game together on September 13, when the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers.
The incident leading to Romo's arrest occurred during a traffic stop while he was driving south on Interstate 43. According to reports from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests prior to being arrested, booked, and subsequently released. Reports also indicate that an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in the passenger side of Romo's black Jeep during an inventory conducted before tow of the vehicle.
Body camera footage released recently reveals that Romo had informed deputies he was coming from a golf course and was en route to visit his grandparents when he was stopped. A deputy noted that Romo exhibited signs of impairment, mentioning his "red glassy eyes" and the "odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage." In response to these developments, a spokesperson for Romo stated, “Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions and has taken proactive steps to ensure that this isolated civil matter is properly resolved.” The spokesperson further emphasized that Romo is cooperating with local authorities to address the situation and is in communication with CBS regarding the next steps to be taken.
Notably, Romo has strong ties to the local area, having attended high school approximately 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin. Throughout his distinguished career with the Dallas Cowboys, Romo set records for the franchise, including being the leader in career touchdown passes with 248. Although he held the record for career passing yards at 34,183 until it was surpassed by Dak Prescott last season, Romo's legacy with the team remains significant.
As developments unfold in Romo’s case, the implications for both his legal standing and professional future remain a focal point for both fans and the sports media.
