CBS Sports Places NFL Analyst Tony Romo on Leave After Wisconsin OWI Arrest

CBS Sports has placed NFL analyst Tony Romo on leave “until further notice” following his arrest in Wisconsin last week on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).

The network confirmed in a statement that Romo is currently on leave from his role at CBS Sports.

Romo received three citations from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office after being pulled over on July 23. He was seen passing cars in a gore area, which separates interstate traffic from vehicles entering via an on-ramp.

During the incident, he performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, booked, and released.

Former NFL star J.J. Watt will fill Romo’s role on CBS Sports’ top team with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year who typically works with Ian Eagle on the network’s No. 2 team, has been assigned to take over broadcast duties.

The disheveled ex-Cowboys quarterback told officers he had “zero” drinks and was en route to visit his grandparents. Romo appeared surprised by being pulled over and stated he planned to call his attorney when instructed to step out of his car for a sobriety test, beginning to film the interaction on his phone.

“Because I’m coming from a golf course you think I’m drunk?” he asked officers during their exchange before being cuffed and placed in the back of a cruiser.

One officer reported that Romo had an “open bottle of an alcoholic beverage” located on the passenger side of his black Jeep. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was later cited for “refuse to take test for intoxication after arrest.”

When questioned, Romo said: “I’ve heard from all the lawyers don’t ever do that. So, we’re not going to do that.”

A Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office spokesperson confirmed this week that the case is classified as a traffic violation and not a criminal charge in Wisconsin.

Romo is scheduled for a court hearing on September 21 but is not required to attend. He faces fines totaling $1,568.50.

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