Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI, cites pain and alcohol dependence
Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an operating-while-intoxicated charge in Wisconsin, attributing his alcohol use to chronic pain from back surgeries and saying he will face a six-month license suspension and a fine.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL analyst Tony Romo entered a no-contest plea to a civil offense for operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin. Court documents indicate he will lose his driving privileges for six months and pay a $748 fine.
Romo posted an Instagram statement saying his “multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” which he said led to a dependence on pain medication and, subsequently, an “over-reliance on alcohol.”
“This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin,” Romo wrote. “I own this completely.”
The incident followed a July traffic stop in Milwaukee where he performed poorly and was arrested on suspicion of OWI. CBS suspended Romo from its broadcast team, promoting former NFL defender J.J. Watt to fill his role. CBS Sports president David Berson said the network is still assessing the situation and has no timeline for a possible return.
Romo indicated he hopes to return to CBS after focusing on his health and family, noting, “as I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS.” He added that he is working with doctors to address his health issues.