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Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to Operating While Intoxicated, Loses License for Six Months
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL analyst Tony Romo pleaded no contest to operating while intoxicated in a Wisconsin court, receiving a six-month license suspension, a fine, and an order to complete an alcohol assessment. In a statement, Romo said multiple back surgeries led to dependence on pain medication and a subsequent over-reliance on alcohol, taking full responsibility for his actions. CBS has placed him on leave, with JJ Watt filling in as lead NFL analyst for the upcoming season.
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Romo Pleads No Contest in Wisconsin OWI Case
Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports NFL analyst, pleaded no contest on Tuesday to a charge of operating while intoxicated, according to court records and a statement from his attorney. The plea stems from his arrest on July 23 following a traffic stop on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. Romo was pulled over while driving south on the interstate, and authorities later said he performed poorly on field sobriety tests and that an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in his vehicle. He was also cited for unsafe passing on the right and for refusing to take a test for intoxication after his arrest.
Court Penalties and Conditions
As part of the plea agreement, Milwaukee County court records show Romo has lost his driving privileges for six months and has been ordered to complete an alcohol assessment program. He also owes $834 in fines. An interlock device must be installed on any vehicle he owns or operates, a condition that will remain in effect for at least one year after he is issued a license. An arrest for a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin is considered a civil offense.
Romo's Statement and Health Battle
In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Romo acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, saying, 'The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant.' He expressed that the incident forced him to 'confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public.'
Romo attributed his actions to a long and painful struggle with his health. 'Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,' he wrote. 'That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.'
He added, 'None of this is an excuse. These are my failures and I take responsibility for them.' Romo said he is now working with a team of doctors and is focused on his health and family. '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,' he said.
CBS and Future Broadcasting Plans
CBS Sports has placed Romo on leave from his role as the network's lead NFL analyst, a position he has held since 2017. CBS Sports President David Berson recently stated that he does not have a timeline for a decision about Romo's future with the network.
In his absence, former NFL star JJ Watt will join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports' lead NFL broadcast team, starting with the season opener between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers on September 13.
Romo, 46, a Wisconsin native who attended high school in Burlington, remains the Cowboys' all-time franchise leader in career touchdown passes with 248 and held the team record for passing yards until Dak Prescott surpassed him last season. He made four Pro Bowl appearances during a career that ran from 2004 to 2016.
How each outlet told it
A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.
Framing: The headline focuses on the legal action taken by Tony Romo, his no contest plea in a Wisconsin OWI case, without emphasizing the personal context or consequences. — Measured and factual, with sympathetic inclusion of Romo's personal statement and no overt judgment.
Facts Included:
CBS Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo entered a no contest plea Tuesday in a drunk driving case in his home state of Wisconsin.
Romo also said he will seek medical help for what he called an 'over-reliance' on alcohol.
Romo’s plea comes after he was arrested in July on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
He was also cited for having an open bottle of alcohol in the SUV he was driving, unsafe passing on the right and refusing to take a test for intoxication after he was arrested.
First offenses for OWI in Wisconsin are considered a civil offense.
Romo will have his driver’s license for six months, have ignition interlock devices installed on any vehicles he owns and wll have to complete an alcohol assessment program and pay a fine.
In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Romo said that he 'faced a recent personal failure' with his no contest plea and said he turned to drinking to manage chronic pain resulting from his NFL career.
'Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,' the former Dallas Cowboys QB wrote.
CBS Sports placed Romo on leave following his arrest.
Romo’s statement says that 'in time' he hopes to return to the NFL booth, but in the immediate future, 'I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes.'
While Romo is on leave, JJ Watt will serve as the lead NFL analyst for CBS, joining play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimTony Romo pleaded no contest to a charge of operating while intoxicated.
ClaimRomo said multiple back surgeries led to constant, debilitating pain, which led to dependence on pain medication, and efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.
ClaimCitations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office indicated that Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and that an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in the passenger's side of his black Jeep.
ClaimBody camera footage showed Romo telling deputies he had been coming from a golf course and was on his way 'to visit grandma and grandpa' when he was stopped.
ClaimRomo was also cited for having an open bottle of alcohol in the SUV he was driving, unsafe passing on the right, and refusing to take a test for intoxication after his arrest.