Tony Romo opens up on private alcohol struggles leading up to drunk-driving arrest as he pleads no contest to charges… and reveals if he plans to return to CBS NFL booth

NFL legend and CBS analyst Tony Romo candidly opened up on his struggles with pain medication and alcohol dependency as he pleaded no contest over his drunk-driving arrest.

Romo, 46, was pulled over in his Jeep in Milwaukee on July 23 and later charged with OWI after performing poorly in sobriety tests, with humiliating bodycam footage of the incident quickly going viral. 

Over a month on from the arrest, the former quarterback took accountability for his action as he pleaded no contest to the offense. 

‘Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life,’ he said in a statement on Tuesday. ‘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.

The former quarterback was arrested after being pulled over in Milwaukee on July 23

‘This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWl in Wisconsin. I own this completely.’

The former Dallas Cowboys star also opened up on his private health battles as he addressed his future with CBS. 

Romo revealed that he had been struggling with a dependency on pain medication after multiple back surgeries during his playing career left him in debilitating pain. He said that he turned to alcohol in an effort to wean himself off the medication.

‘Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,’ he added. ‘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.’

Romo was placed on indefinite leave by CBS following his arrest and temporarily replaced by JJ Watt and the future of his $18m-a-year CBS contract has been shrouded in doubt. 

Romo has been on leave at CBS since his OWI arrest month in his native Wisconsin 

Yet, Romo appeared to hint that he would eventually return to the booth after taking time away to focus on his health.  

‘The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant,; he continued. 

‘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.’

Court records show Romo reached a deal with prosecutors on Tuesday to close out the case. 

His driving privileges have been revoked for six months and was ordered to attend and complete an alcohol assessment program. Additionally, an ignition interlock device must be installed on his cars for the next year.

 Romo was also ordered to pay a $784 fine, records stated. 

Romo was on his way home from a golf tournament in Milwaukee when he was pulled over by cops last month, telling them he had not had anything to drink and was on his way to visit ‘Grandma and Grandpa’.

A police report later revealed that an officer found an ‘open bottle of an alcoholic beverage’ on the passenger side of his black Jeep vehicle.

A week on from his arrest, CBS placed him on leave and Romo has been keeping a low profile ever since.

The NFL quarterback legend poses for a photo with his wife Candice at a 2023 golf tournament

CBS Sports president David Berson, meanwhile, spoke to the media ahead of the NFL season and confirmed that the network has no immediate plans for Romo to return to TV screens.

‘It’s an evolving situation and therefore we are still assessing,’ he said on August 11. ‘There is no timetable or final decision at this time.

‘I hope you can respect and appreciate this is a personnel matter and a legal one for Tony, so I can’t speak to that aspect of things.’

Romo is owed $72m over the next four years of his current contract, putting the network in a precarious position as they decide what to do next.

On the air, Romo’s work as the lead color analyst for the NFL on CBS has become increasingly divisive with fans.

As he approaches what would be his 10th season with the network, he has been facing calls to step down after being criticized for his strange affectations and errors in commentary.

Whether it was confusing Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes , letting out a bizarre groan during the Bills-Jaguars game or calling a 4th & 1 carry like a first-down , Romo had his share of blunders in last season’s playoffs alone.

Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson, is married to wife Candice, a past Miss Missouri

Romo said he felt unwell during the Bills-Jaguars incident, explaining: ‘We had a bunch of guys sick, we were just grinding through it. You’re not going to miss a playoff game.’

In December 2023, at the height of ‘Tayvis’ Mania, Romo bizarrely addressed Taylor Swift as the wife of Travis Kelce while she watched him play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

It came long before the couple announced their engagement back in August of 2025 and got married last month.

Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson from 2007 to 2009, is married to Candice Crawford Romo, a former broadcast journalist and past Miss Missouri. They have three children.