Tony Romo opens up on private alcohol struggles leading up to drunk-driving arrest as he pleads no contest to charges… and reveals if he plans to return to CBS NFL booth
NFL legend and CBS analyst Tony Romo candidly opened up on his struggles with pain medication and alcohol dependency as he pleaded no contest over his drunk-driving arrest.
Romo, 46, was pulled over in his Jeep in Milwaukee on July 23 and later charged with OWI after performing poorly in sobriety tests, with humiliating bodycam footage of the incident quickly going viral.
Over a month on from the arrest, the former quarterback took accountability for his action as he pleaded no contest to the offense.
‘Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life,’ he said in a statement on Tuesday. ‘I played for more than 20 years, including 14 in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. After my retirement, CBS gave me the profound honor of staying close to the game through broadcasting.
‘Playing taught me the power of relationships, the strength of a team, and the toughness to face failure head-on with honesty, resilience, and the determination to do better.
‘This is one of those moments when I am leaning on everything football taught me.
NFL legend and CBS analyst Tony Romo pleaded no contest to an OWI charge
The former quarterback was arrested after being pulled over in Milwaukee on July 23
‘This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWl in Wisconsin. I own this completely.’
The former Dallas Cowboys star also opened up on his private health battles as he addressed his future with CBS.
Romo revealed that he had been struggling with a dependency on pain medication after multiple back surgeries during his playing career left him in debilitating pain. He said that he turned to alcohol in an effort to wean himself off the medication.
‘Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,’ he added. ‘That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.
‘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.
‘That path requires honesty.
‘None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.’
Romo was placed on indefinite leave by CBS following his arrest and temporarily replaced by JJ Watt and the future of his $18m-a-year CBS contract has been shrouded in doubt.
Romo has been on leave at CBS since his OWI arrest month in his native Wisconsin
Yet, Romo appeared to hint that he would eventually return to the booth after taking time away to focus on his health.
‘The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant,; he continued.
‘It has 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.
‘As I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period.’
More to follow.
