Tony Romo acknowledged Tuesday that chronic pain from his NFL career contributed to an “over-reliance on alcohol,” following his no-contest plea to an impaired driving charge in Wisconsin.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst shared a lengthy statement on Instagram, taking full responsibility for his actions and detailing the personal struggles that led to the incident.
Romo's Statement on His Legal Troubles
In his post, Romo confirmed he pleaded no contest to a civil offense for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). “This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin,” he wrote. “I own this completely.”
Romo, 46, was arrested in July after a traffic stop in Milwaukee, where authorities said he “performed poorly” on field sobriety tests. As part of his plea agreement, his driving privileges will be revoked for six months, and he must pay a $748 fine, according to court documents.
The Role of Career Injuries and Pain
Romo explained that multiple back surgeries forced him to retire earlier than he had hoped, leaving him with constant, debilitating pain. That pain, he said, led to a dependence on pain medication, and his efforts to stop taking those medications resulted in his reliance on alcohol.
“That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol,” he stated.
CBS Suspension and Potential Return
The arrest prompted CBS to suspend Romo from his role as lead NFL analyst. The network quickly elevated former NFL defensive star J.J. Watt to fill his position. Last month, CBS Sports president David Berson said there was no timeline for Romo’s potential return, describing it as “an evolving situation, and therefore we’re still assessing.”
In his Tuesday statement, Romo hinted that a return to CBS is possible, saying he was asking for privacy “as I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS.”
Romo's Commitment to Change
Romo emphasized that he is taking steps to address his health, noting that he is working closely with a team of doctors. He also expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his family, friends, and the NFL community, including players, coaches, and owners.
“As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility,” Romo added. “This 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.”
He concluded, “That path requires honesty. None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take that responsibility for them.”
