Full Breakdown
Tony Romo Placed on Indefinite Leave by CBS After OWI Arrest
7/31/2026, 10:48:32 PM
Core Event
On July 23 2026, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was stopped by Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies while driving southbound on Interstate 43. The deputies observed Romo passing vehicles in a “gore area,” noted “red glassy eyes” and the odor of alcohol, and cited him for operating while intoxicated (OWI), unsafe passing, and possession of an open container. He was taken into custody, booked and released the same night.
Background & Context
Romo played 13 NFL seasons (2004-2016) with the Dallas Cowboys, earning four Pro Bowl selections and holding the franchise record for career touchdown passes until surpassed by Dak Prescott. He retired in April 2017 and became CBS’s lead NFL game analyst. In the weeks before his arrest, Romo competed in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament in West Bend (July 20-23).
Data & Statistics
- Citations issued: operating while intoxicated, unsafe passing, open-container violation (Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office).
- Court schedule: hearing set for September 21 2026.
- Potential penalties: first-offense OWI in Wisconsin carries a fine of $150-$300, with a $435 surcharge and a maximum possible penalty of $735.
- Romo’s career numbers: 248 touchdown passes, 34,183 passing yards, four Pro Bowl selections.
Official Statements & Responses
- CBS issued a one-sentence statement: “Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice. JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Tony Romo’s absence.” — People.
- The network added that it will release the remainder of its NFL-on-CBS roster at a later date.
On-the-Ground Reports
Body-camera footage released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office shows Romo telling a deputy he was “coming from a golf course” and was on his way “to visit grandma and grandpa.” A deputy reported Romo’s “red glassy eyes” and the smell of alcohol. Romo repeatedly asked to call his lawyer and later refused both a preliminary breath test and a chemical intoxication test, resulting in a citation for refusing to submit to a test.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Legal classification: Wisn describes the OWI as a traffic violation, while other outlets refer to it as an “OWI” with possible license revocation.
- Fine amounts: Wisn cites a $150-$300 fine range; the sheriff’s citation mentions a $435 surcharge and a maximum penalty of $735.
- Blood-alcohol results: No chemical test results have been released, and the warrant for a blood draw remains unfulfilled in public records.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice. JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Tony Romo’s absence.” — People
- “Because I’m coming from a golf course, you think I’m drunk?” — Tony Romo
- “I’m going to call my lawyer … if that’s okay.” — Tony Romo
What’s Next
- Romo’s court appearance is scheduled for September 21 2026.
- The 2026 NFL regular season begins September 9 2026; CBS’s first regular-season broadcast is slated for September 13 2026, with a preseason game on August 28 2026 (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles).
- CBS will announce the full NFL-on-CBS announcing roster “at a later date.”
The leave places Romo’s future with CBS uncertain while the network prepares its lead broadcast team for the upcoming season.
