Tony Romo is apologizing for his arrest this summer on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence, which led to his being placed on leave from his role as CBS’ lead NFL analyst.
In a statement posted on Instagram Tuesday, Romo wrote, “This is one of those moments when I’m leaning on everything football taught me.”
Romo’s statement continued that he pleaded “no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin.”
“I own this completely,” Romo wrote.
Romo, 46, said that since his playing career ended, multiple back surgeries have left him in “constant, debilitating pain.” He said, “That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.”
Romo continued by taking “full responsibility,” saying he’s “working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes.” He thanked family, friends, and the NFL community for support.
He’s asking for privacy and his “return to CBS.” It’s unclear when that might be. CBS Sports president David Berson previously said that he does not have a timeline for a decision about Romo’s future with the network.
Romo was arrested on July 23 following a traffic stop in Wisconsin as he was driving south on Interstate 43. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting arrested, booked and released.
Citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office indicated that an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found on the passenger side of Romo’s black Jeep during an inventory before it was towed.
Body camera footage released earlier 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. A deputy told Romo he suspected him of being impaired because he had “red glassy eyes” and an “odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage.”
The case against the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was amended last week to add citations for possessing open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, unsafe passing on the right and first-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI). He had already received a citation for refusal to take a test for intoxication after arrest.
Romo went to high school about 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin.
Fellow analyst and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady commented on Romo’s Instagram post on Tuesday with three heart emojis in support. Former wide receiver and teammate Dez Bryant responded with a heart and folded hands.
Romo has been the lead game analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage since 2017, after making four Pro Bowl appearances during a playing career that ran from 2004-16 and was spent entirely with Dallas.
Analyst J.J. Watt will join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence. Their first game will be on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers.
Romo remains the Cowboys’ franchise leader in career touchdown passes with 248. He held the franchise record for career passing yards (34,183) until Dak Prescott overtook him last season.
