The Dallas Cowboys have been able to get over the hump of the NFC field in the playoffs in a long time. Over the course of the last 20 years, they've only had two starting quarterbacks, both who share many of the franchise's career passing marks. Yet the path of Dak Prescott and Tony Romo couldn't be more different. Prescott dropped into the fourth round after a prestigious career at an SEC school, in part because of some off-field issues during his youth.
Romo went to a small school, Eastern Illinois, and was regarded as squeaky clean throughout his career. But now, that image is unraveling following his arrest on July 23. Romo faced a series of charges related to being intoxicated behind the wheel and on Tuesday, he pled "no contest" and issued
a statement where he cited a dependence on pain medications prescribed for his back pain leading to him using alcohol as a substitute.
CBS analyst Tony Romo has released a statement, in part saying multiple back surgeries led to a dependence on pain medication, and his efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 1, 2026
He says he is working with a team of doctors to address his health and… pic.twitter.com/19Z6Uha7MA
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.
God bless.
Tony Romo
Romo's myriad of back issues led to Prescott taking over in the preseason prior to the 2016 season. It would end up being Romo's last hurrah, playing at the end of the season in mop-up duty. He would then retire, moving to the announcing booth where he was an instant star for CBS.
There still remain dedicated fans to this day who hold a grudge against the organization for not giving Romo the reigns during that season's playoff push. Romo was the star of stars for the Cowboys, the small-town kid who made good with the most famous organization in sports.
That in-the-booth star has faded over the years, and now his broadcasting career could be in jeopardy thanks to this recent ordeal. The story, an NFL player who put it all on the line in order to get back out on the field, but later succumbs to medication's overwhelming powers, is a story almost as old as the league itself.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Pain pill popper to alcohol abuse, former Cowboys QB Romo admits issue
