Tony Romo is facing the music.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current broadcaster for the NFL on CBS was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated on July 23 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Romo had been playing in the 125th Wisconsin Amateur Championship
earlier in the day before he was arrested. He finished in a tie for 73rd, well down the leaderboard, but did make time for a fan.Romo, who played high school golf in his hometown of Burlington along with football and basketball, showed a young fan some football drills at West Bend Country Club. That caught the eye of reporter Jim Owczarski, who snapped a few photos.
Court records show that he was facingthree charges stemming from that arrest: unsafe passing on the
right, possessing open intoxicants and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).
On Sept. 1, Romo announced that he pleaded no contest to a civil offense and explained that he is owning his mistakes in a statement posted to his Instagram.
Court records show that Romo's plea of no contest resulted in his driving privileges being revoked for six months. He will also have to complete the "Alcohol Assessment Program," while paying a total of $834 in fines. If he fails to pay, his license suspension can be extended for up to one year.
Romo is also required to have an "ignition interlock device" installed on any vehicles that is owned, operated or registered in his name. That will remain the case for a minimum of one year after his license is reissued.
Online court documents show the unsafe passing and open intoxicant charges were both dismissed on Sept. 1.
Here is the statement in its entirety:
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.
Romo was placed on leave by CBS on July 31, opening up his seat in the network's top broadcast booth. J.J. Watt is set to take that spot alongside play-by-play voice Jim Nantz until further notice.
Tony Romo charges
Romo faces three charges following his July arrest. They are:
- Unsafe passing on the right
- Possessing open intoxicants
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI)
According to the officer, Romo was pulled over for "unsafe passing on the right," and "cutting across the gore."
He was stopped going southbound on I-43 and "performed poorly on SFSTs (standard field sobriety tests)."
Tony Romo Bodycam video
Bodycam footage of Romo's arrest and the sobriety tests surfaced on July 28.
Obtained by TMZ, the footage showed what took place during the stop and led to his arrest. Romo explained he was heading to his grandparents' home at the time of the stop, which occurred after the quarterback left a golf tournament nearby.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tony Romo told cops he was on his way to meet his grandma and grandpa when he was pulled over and ultimately busted for OWI ... newly released body camera footage shows. pic.twitter.com/visfkPfxGT
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 29, 2026
Romo was playing in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament prior to the stop.
Later footage showed Romo during the field testing, where he was seen stretching and apologizing, noting that his history of back surgeries made it difficult to bend over.
He declined to submit to a breathalyzer test, saying all you ever hear from lawyers is, "don't ever do that."
Jerry Jones offers support for Tony Romo
The Cowboys owner was asked about Romo during an August interview with KDFW Fox 4, during which he said he has "been talking to" Romo in the aftermath of his arrest, and spoke glowingly about his former quarterback's character and talent.
"I love him," Jones said of Romo. "I love what he’s about. I love his character. I love his love of sport. And he’s a very, very unique talent. And the real question is – and I don’t even have to ask what the answer is: Do you think Tony Romo knows how to get up when he gets knocked down? He had a life of that. And absolutely, that’s one of his greatest attributes, is that he can handle adversity."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arrested after golf event, Tony Romo admits 'over-reliance on alcohol'
