CBS Sports announced Friday that Tony Romo has been placed on leave from his role as a football analyst until further notice, following his arrest in Wisconsin last week on suspicion of operating while intoxicated (OWI).
The decision comes one week after Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports broadcaster, was pulled over by Milwaukee County deputies on July 23 at approximately 6:18 p.m. CT on southbound Interstate 43. According to Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office records, Romo performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested.
Bodycam footage and arrest reports indicate Romo was slow to respond to deputy instructions, repeatedly asked for statements to be repeated, and stated he needed to call his lawyer before proceeding. During the stop, a deputy observed ‘a few shooters’—small containers of alcohol—in Romo’s backpack, though no further details on the quantity or type of alcohol were provided in the records.
Romo declined a breath test when asked, stating, “Oh no, we’re not doing that.” He also appeared to chuckle when questioned about potential head injuries, responding, “Well over the years, yes, but not recently.”
Romo was booked on one count of operating while intoxicated and released. His court appearance is scheduled for September 21, which coincides with the NFL’s Week 2.
CBS Sports confirmed the leave in a statement: “Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice.” A representative for Romo could not be reached for comment.
Romo is part of CBS’s top football broadcasting team, alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. His absence from the booth may impact CBS’s coverage, particularly for high-profile matchups such as the Week 2 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots on September 20.
The incident has drawn attention given Romo’s prominent role in sports broadcasting and his history as an NFL quarterback. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office has not provided additional updates beyond the initial arrest report.