Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to DWI Charge, Says He’s Seeking Help for Alcohol Use

CBS Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo entered a no contest plea Tuesday in a drunk driving case in his home state of Wisconsin. Romo also said he will seek medical help for what he called an “over-reliance” on alcohol.

Romo’s plea comes after he was arrested in July on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was also cited for having an open bottle of alcohol in the SUV he was driving, unsafe passing on the right and refusing to take a test for intoxication after he was arrested.

First offenses for OWI in Wisconsin are considered a civil offense. Romo will have his driver’s license for six months, have ignition interlock devices installed on any vehicles he owns and wll have to complete an alcohol assessment program and pay a fine.

In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Romo said that he “faced a recent personal failure” with his no contest plea and said he turned to drinking to manage chronic pain resulting from his NFL career.

“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” the former Dallas Cowboys QB wrote. “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.”

CBS Sports placed Romo on leave following his arrest. Romo’s statement says that “in time” he hopes to return to the NFL booth, but in the immediate future, “I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes.”

While Romo is on leave, JJ Watt will serve as the lead NFL analyst for CBS, joining play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.