Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL analyst Tony Romo pleaded no contest Tuesday to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, saying chronic back pain after multiple surgeries contributed first to a dependence on pain medication and later to what he described as an over-reliance on alcohol.
The plea resolved a first-offense OWI citation stemming from Romo’s July arrest in Milwaukee. Court records show his driver’s license will be revoked for six months. He must also pay a $784 fine, complete an Alcohol Assessment Program and install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns, according to Fox News.
Romo, who was placed on leave by CBS Sports following the arrest, posted a statement on Instagram accepting responsibility.
“This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense of OWI in Wisconsin,” he wrote. “I own this completely.”
Romo then described the health problems he said followed the end of his playing career.
CBS analyst Tony Romo has released a statement, in part saying multiple back surgeries led to a dependence on pain medication, and his efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.
He says he is working with a team of doctors to address his health and… pic.twitter.com/19Z6Uha7MA
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 1, 2026
“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected, and left me with constant debilitating pain,” Romo said. “The pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.”
He said the plea marked the beginning of a broader effort to address the problems that led to his arrest.
“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.”
“The path requires honesty. None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take full responsibility for them.”
Police records cited following the traffic stop said officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and found an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage on the passenger side of Romo’s vehicle. He was also cited for refusing an intoxication test. Other related citations were later dismissed as part of the case’s resolution.
Romo said the weeks since his arrest had forced him to confront his behavior.
“The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant,” he wrote. “It 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.”
The statement, posted to an Instagram account with about 658,000 followers, received nearly 17,000 likes, including one from Fox Sports lead analyst Tom Brady.
Romo has not announced a timeline for returning to the CBS broadcast booth. The network previously said he would remain on leave until further notice and assigned J.J. Watt to the lead broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz. Romo has asked for privacy while he focuses on his health and family.
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