Tony Romo Addresses OWI Arrest, Admits Struggles With Alcohol and Pain Medication

Former NFL quarterback and CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo has addressed his recent OWI arrest, saying he is taking full responsibility and working with doctors to address his health.

Romo pleaded no contest Tuesday to an OWI charge in Wisconsin. In a statement posted on social media, he said multiple back surgeries ended his football career earlier than expected and left him with chronic pain. He said that pain led to a dependence on prescription pain medication, followed by an over-reliance on alcohol as he tried to stop using the medication.

“I own this completely,” Romo wrote. “None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.”

Romo, 46, was arrested July 24 after being pulled over on I-43 in Milwaukee County following an appearance at the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament. According to authorities, he was stopped for unsafe passing and lane deviation and later performed poorly on a field sobriety test.

Romo was booked into the Milwaukee County Jail and later released. Because it was his first OWI offense, Wisconsin treats the charge as a civil offense rather than a criminal charge.

CBS Sports placed Romo on leave one week after his arrest. Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt has been filling his role alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ lead NFL broadcast team.

Romo said the past month has forced him to confront his mistakes and seek help. He said he is working with a team of doctors and focusing on his health and family.

He also said he hopes to return to CBS Sports in the future and asked for privacy while he works through the situation.