Tony Romo has pleaded no contest to an OWI charge Tuesday. The CBS analyst also revealed a private battle with pain medication and alcohol.
What We Know: Milwaukee County deputies arrested Romo on July 23 near the Marquette Interchange. He reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests during the stop. Wisconsin treats first-offense OWI as a civil matter, not a criminal charge, so no jail time applies. CBS has since placed Romo on leave and promoted J.J. Watt into his seat alongside Jim Nantz. Romo released a lengthy statement announcing his no contest plea and also revealing his struggles dealing with substances.
What They Said: Tony Romo (via X):
“Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life. I played for more than 20 years, including 14 in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. After my retirement, CBS gave me the profound honor of staying close to the game through broadcasting.
Playing taught me the power of relationships, the strength of a team, and the toughness to face failure head-on with honesty, resilience, and the determination to do better. This is one of those moments when I am leaning on everything football taught me.
This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin. I own this completely.
Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.
As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility. That is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward. That path requires honesty.
None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.
The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public. I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know.
As I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period.”
What Remains Unclear: CBS Sports president David Berson said in August that no final decision has been made on Romo’s status. Meanwhile, three additional citations, including open intoxicants and unsafe passing, are still pending in Wisconsin courts. Consequently, the exact financial penalties and any license restrictions remain unresolved. A firm timetable for his broadcast return, if any, has not been set.
What It Means: Romo’s candor reframes a scandal into a story about accountability and health. Instead of hiding behind representatives, he chose to speak directly to fans and colleagues. Still, the decision now shifts to CBS, which must balance sympathy against its own image. Watt’s rise in the booth, meanwhile, raises the stakes for whenever Romo does return.
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