DALLAS — Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo pleaded no contest Tuesday to a civil OWI offense in Wisconsin, he said in a statement posted to Instagram.
Hours later, the district administrative assistant for the Milwaukee County Courthouse told TMJ4 the case had been resolved. All future court dates were removed from court records.
It was Romo’s first comment on the July arrest in his own name. Broadcasting kept him close to the game after his playing career ended, he said.
“This is one of those moments when I am leaning on everything football taught me,” Romo said. “This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin. I own this completely.”
Deputies with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office stopped Romo on southbound Interstate 43 on the high-rise bridge in downtown Milwaukee on the evening of July 23. An arrest detention report said he was taken into custody after performing poorly on standardized field sobriety tests. The arrest came at about 6:15 p.m. CT. Romo was booked into the jail at about 9:45 p.m. and released at about 11 p.m.
He had been in Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Amateur Championship in West Bend, which ran July 20 through July 23. He tied for 73rd.
Romo declined a preliminary breath test at the scene on the advice of his attorneys. A citation for refusing an intoxication test was filed July 27. On July 28, the sheriff’s office released body camera footage showing Romo telling a deputy he was returning from a golf course and that he had consumed zero drinks. A second officer found an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage on the passenger side of Romo’s black Jeep during an inventory conducted before the vehicle was towed.
On Aug. 27, three more citations were added to the case: first-offense OWI, unsafe passing on the right, and possessing open intoxicants in a motor vehicle. That brought the total to four. Romo’s initial appearance had been scheduled for Sept. 21. In Wisconsin, a first-offense OWI is a civil violation, not a criminal offense, and does not involve jail time.
Tony Romo Cites Back Surgeries And Pain Medication
Romo called the past month difficult and personally significant. He said he has owned his mistakes to the Lord, to himself, to his family, and now to the public.
“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected,” Romo explained, “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.”
“None of this is an excuse,” Romo said. “These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.”
Romo said he has taught his three young sons to stand up and take full responsibility when they fall short.
“I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes,” Romo added. “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.”
Tony Romo’s Status At CBS Sports
CBS placed Romo on leave “until further notice” on July 31, eight days after the arrest. At the network’s NFL media day in New York on Aug. 11, CBS Sports president David Berson said there was no timetable or final decision on Romo’s status. Berson called it an evolving situation the network was still assessing.
J.J. Watt moved into the lead booth alongside Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Watt had been the network’s No. 2 game analyst. CBS begins its regular-season NFL coverage on Sept. 13.
In 2020, Romo agreed to a 10-year, $180 million deal with the network. He had been entering his 10th season as CBS’ lead game analyst this fall.
The Cowboys signed Romo as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois in 2003. He replaced Drew Bledsoe as the starter during the 2006 season. He made four Pro Bowls. In 2014, he was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro and finished third in MVP voting.
Over 13 seasons, Romo threw for 34,183 yards, 248 touchdowns, and 117 interceptions, with a 65.3% completion rate. He played in 156 games and started 127. He went 78-49 as a starter and 2-4 in six playoff games.
His 248 touchdown passes are the most in franchise history. Romo ranks second in Cowboys passing yards behind Dak Prescott.
Dallas released Romo on April 4, 2017. Later that month, CBS hired him and assigned him straight to its lead booth.
Romo, 46, went to high school in Burlington, Wisconsin, approximately 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee. As of Tuesday afternoon, CBS Sports had not made any public comments regarding the case’s resolution.
