Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to OWI and Opens Up About Alcohol Struggles
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo has addressed his Wisconsin OWI case publicly, acknowledging what he described as a personal failure and outlining the steps he is taking to move forward.
Romo, 46, pleaded no contest on September 1 to a first-offence operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge stemming from his July arrest in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He also released a personal statement discussing his health, chronic pain and struggles with alcohol.
The development comes weeks after CBS Sports placed Romo on leave following the arrest. In his latest statement, however, Romo indicated that he hopes to eventually return to the network while asking for privacy as he focuses on his health and family.
Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to OWI in Wisconsin
Romo’s legal case began with a July 23 traffic stop on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee County.
According to reporting from WTMJ and CBS Texas, deputies stopped Romo after concerns about his driving. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
His first-offence OWI case was resolved with a no-contest plea on September 1. Under Wisconsin law, a first OWI is treated as a civil offence rather than a criminal conviction.
The court consequences include a six-month revocation of his driving privileges, completion of an alcohol assessment programme and installation of an ignition interlock device in vehicles he owns, operates or registers. Additional citations connected to the incident were dismissed as part of the resolution.
Romo Takes Responsibility for the Incident
In his first detailed public comments since the arrest, Romo did not attempt to shift blame.
He described the situation as a recent personal failure and said he accepts responsibility for what happened.
That acknowledgement became a central part of his statement. Rather than focusing only on the legal consequences, Romo also reflected on the circumstances that he believes contributed to his struggles.
He said his experience has forced him to examine his health and make meaningful changes.
Former Cowboys Quarterback Discusses Chronic Pain
Romo also connected his struggles with the physical consequences of his NFL career.
Multiple back surgeries contributed to chronic pain and ended his playing career earlier than he had expected. According to his statement, that pain initially resulted in dependence on pain medication.
He said his attempts to move away from those medications eventually contributed to an unhealthy reliance on alcohol.
Romo emphasised that his health history was not an excuse for his actions. Instead, he presented it as part of the larger path that led to the current situation.
Tony Romo Says He Is Working With Doctors
Romo said his attention is now focused on making changes and addressing his health.
He revealed that he is working with a team of doctors as he deals with the issues he discussed in his statement.
He also expressed appreciation for the support he has received from his family, friends and members of the NFL community.
For Romo, the process appears to be about more than resolving the legal case. His statement suggests that he is also trying to address the underlying problems that affected his life after football.
What Happens to Tony Romo at CBS Sports?
Romo’s future with CBS Sports remains uncertain.
CBS placed the long-time NFL analyst on leave following his July arrest. J.J. Watt has since taken over Romo’s position alongside Jim Nantz on CBS’s lead NFL broadcast team.
CBS Sports president David Berson said in August that the network was still assessing the situation and that there was no timetable for a decision about Romo’s future.
Romo’s latest statement indicates that he would like to return to CBS in the future. However, that does not mean the network has confirmed his reinstatement.
For now, his return remains a matter for CBS Sports to decide.
Romo Draws on Lessons From His NFL Career
Romo also reflected on the lessons he learned during his years as an NFL quarterback.
He pointed to the importance of relationships, teamwork and responding to failure with honesty and determination.
Those themes have become particularly relevant as he deals with the fallout from the OWI case.
The former Cowboys quarterback spent his entire 14-season NFL career with Dallas before retiring after the 2016 season. He then moved into broadcasting and became one of CBS Sports’ most recognisable NFL analysts.
His latest statement suggests that he is trying to apply the same principles of accountability and resilience to a difficult period away from the football field.
Tony Romo Asks for Privacy as He Focuses on Recovery
For now, Romo says his priorities are his health and family.
He also expressed gratitude to those who have supported him while making clear that he wants some privacy during the process.
His statement leaves the door open for a future return to CBS, but there is currently no confirmed date for that comeback.
The immediate focus is therefore on Romo’s health, his legal obligations and the changes he says he is working to make.
The OWI case has brought an unexpected chapter to the former quarterback’s post-NFL career. His decision to publicly address the situation now provides a clearer picture of how he plans to respond to it.