Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been slapped with three new citations stemming from his July arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, escalating the legal troubles that have already forced CBS Sports to remove him from his broadcasting duties.
The ex-NFL star was initially taken into custody on July 23 in Wisconsin after deputies pulled him over on Interstate 43. Court documents filed this week reveal Romo now faces additional charges including possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, unsafe pass on the right, and a first-offense operating while intoxicated charge. He had previously received a citation for refusing an intoxication test following his arrest.
CBS Sports president David Berson confirmed earlier this month that Romo has been placed on administrative leave while the network considers his future with the company. The 46-year-old broadcaster had served as the network’s lead analyst for NFL coverage since 2017, following a distinguished 13-year playing career with the Dallas Cowboys from 2004 to 2016 that included four Pro Bowl selections.
Arrest Details and Evidence
According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the traffic stop occurred after deputies observed Romo driving south on I-43. Body camera footage released earlier this week shows Romo telling officers he had been coming from a golf course and was heading “to visit grandma and grandpa” when he was stopped. Deputies noted signs of impairment including his “red glassy eyes” and the “odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage” emanating from the vehicle.
Field sobriety tests were administered and failed by Romo before his arrest. During the vehicle inventory conducted prior to towing, an open bottle containing an alcoholic beverage was discovered on the passenger side of his black Jeep. The footage captures the moment of the traffic stop, providing visual evidence of the circumstances leading to his arrest.
CBS Response and Broadcasting Changes
The network has moved quickly to adjust its NFL coverage in Romo’s absence. Analyst JJ Watt has joined play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ premier NFL broadcast team. Their first game together will be on September 13 when the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers.
CBS Sports president David Berson stated that no timeline has been established for a final decision regarding Romo’s status with the network. The broadcaster’s absence represents a significant disruption to the successful television package that has drawn strong ratings since Romo’s transition from player to analyst.
Legal Proceedings and Public Statements
Romo’s legal team issued a statement through a spokesperson to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and TMZ, indicating that “Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions and has taken proactive steps to ensure that this isolated civil matter is properly resolved.” The statement added that they are working with local authorities to bring the matter to a close and are communicating with CBS about next steps.
The former quarterback, who attended high school in Burlington, Wisconsin approximately 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee, currently holds the Cowboys’ franchise record for career touchdown passes with 248. He also held the team record for career passing yards (34,183) until Dak Prescott surpassed his mark last season.
Why it Matters
This legal entanglement represents a critical juncture for Romo, whose seamless transition from NFL star to respected broadcaster made him one of the most recognizable voices in American sports television. The combination of criminal charges and professional leave underscores the fragile nature of celebrity status and the swift consequences that can follow when personal conduct conflicts with public expectations. For CBS, the situation threatens the stability of their flagship NFL package that has become essential to their sports programming success.
