What we know so far about Tony Romo’s arrest: Legal details, role at CBS and more
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo speaks at a press conference announcing the retirement of offensive lineman Zack Martin at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Here’s what we know so far about the arrest of former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
What are the details of Romo’s arrest?
Romo was arrested on the night of July 23 in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. Romo was driving southbound on Interstate 43 after 6 p.m. when a county officer pulled him over and issued a standard field sobriety test. Romo performed “poorly,” according to the arrest report. He was then taken into custody and booked into county jail after 9 p.m and subsequently released.
Article continues below this ad
Romo, an avid golfer, spent the weekend playing in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship at the West Bend Country Club.
What is Operating While Intoxicated?
An OWI charge is the Wisconsin equivalent of driving while under the influence. Romo is facing four citations after he was arrested, but unlike in Texas, the Wisconsin violations carry civil penalties.
Romo won’t face any jail time or probation in Wisconsin, according to Taylor Hart, a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney not connected to the case.
What are Romo’s legal issues?
Romo will face civil penalties for four citations.
Article continues below this ad
After he was arrested, Romo faced three citations for operating under the influence, unsafe passing on the right, and allegedly possessing an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage in his car, according to documents from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Romo was hit with a fourth citation for refusing to take a second breathalyzer test after he was arrested — an issue Wisconsin defense attorneys who spoke with The Dallas Morning News flagged as potentially more serious.
According to body camera footage of Romo’s arrest, an officer found multiple alcoholic shooters in his backpack after he was pulled over. A citation filed after the arrest notes that a second officer found an “open bottle of an alcoholic beverage” in the passenger side of Romo’s vehicle while conducting an inventory.
The citation for the open bottle of alcohol in his vehicle increases the fines he will face in court, although no criminal charges have been filed. He has a court date scheduled for Sept. 21 in Milwaukee.
What does the arrest video, body cam footage show?
Screen shot from body cam footage capturing former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo’s arrest in Wisconsin.
According to footage obtained by The News, Romo was pulled over for “unsafe passing on the right” and “lane deviation.” Romo provided his driver’s license and phone number to the police officer before he was asked how many drinks he had. The officer later asked if she could put Romo through field sobriety tests, and he responded by saying he wanted to call his lawyer.
Article continues below this ad
Romo was then asked to step out of his vehicle and was placed in handcuffs.
See the arrest video here.
What about Romo’s role at CBS?
Romo’s role as the lead NFL analyst at CBS Sports may be in jeopardy after his arrest.
CBS Sports placed Romo on leave “until further notice” on July 31, naming former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt as his fill-in host who will join Jim Nantz in the booth as CBS’ top broadcast duo.
Article continues below this ad
Romo has worked as the lead color analyst for CBS since 2017. He reportedly signed a 10-year, $180 million extension with the network in 2020.
Romo wasn’t expected to have his first game until the opening Sunday of the NFL regular season on Sept. 13. CBS likely will reveal its game assignments and announcer pairings for the first three weeks of the regular season in the next couple of weeks.
The network is scheduled to broadcast the Cowboys’ Sept. 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.