Tony Romo is taking “full responsibility” following his OWI arrest last month.
A spokesperson for the CBS Sports NFL analyst, 46, told multiple outlets on Thursday, August 27 that “Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions and has taken proactive steps to ensure that this isolated civil matter is properly resolved.”
The statement continued: “We are working with local authorities to bring this matter to a close and we are communicating with CBS about next steps.”
CBS Sports placed the lead NFL color analyst on leave in July — one week after his arrest in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
“Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice,” a CBS representative said in a statement to Us on July 31.
Romo was pulled over in Milwaukee at around 8 p.m. on July 23, after participating in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament.
He was issued a citation for “refusing to take test for intoxication after arrest,” according to court documents viewed by Us.
Additional citations came for Romo allegedly having an “open bottle of an alcoholic beverage” on the passenger’s side of his Jeep, discovered when the vehicle was searched before it was towed away, and for passing vehicles in a “gore area,” which separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp.
After allegedly failing field sobriety tests at the scene – as seen in body cam footage obtained by Us – he was taken into custody and a court date has been set for September 21, one day after CBS’ Week 2 NFL slate. Romo has not spoken publicly about his arrest and Us has previously reached out to his attorney for comment.
An officer at the scene told Romo she believed he was intoxicated due to his “red glassy eyes” and an “odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage.”
After placing Romo on leave, CBS told NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport that JJ Watt will take Romo’s place in his absence.
Posting about his role via X on August 11, Watt, 37, expressed his enthusiasm over the appointment.
“Haven’t said much because it’s not the circumstances you’d hope it would happen under, but I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a legendary team in Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson, Jim Rikhoff and the entire CBS lead crew,” Watt wrote. “See you in Minnesota!”
The same day, CBS Sports president David Berson said the network had still not made a definitive judgment about Romo’s future.
“It’s an evolving situation and we are still assessing,” Berson said at NFL on CBS media day. “There is no timetable or final decision at this time.”
Berson added, “We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand. That’s very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others. Fortunately, we have a deep bench and everybody is stepping up.”
