Watch: Tony Romo Reveals “Over-Reliance” on Alcohol, Pain Medication Dependence Before OWI Arrest
Tony Romo is beginning a new chapter.
Two months after the NFL game analyst was arrested in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while impaired (an OWI), CBS Sports confirmed he would no longer be working with the network.
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” CBS Sports said in an Oct. 2 statement to E! News. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
The sports network noted that J.J. Watt will remain the lead analyst—a role he took over after Romo was placed on an indefinite leave following his July arrest—and will continue to partner with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson for the rest of the season. The message also clarified that “all other teams remain the same.”
For Romo’s part, he expressed gratitude for his time at the network.
“I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life–with a desire to win and be the best that I can be,” he said in a statement. “I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity.”
He concluded, “I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.
The update comes one month after Romo—who, according to the arrest report obtained by E! News, “performed poorly” during a standard field sobriety test after being pulled over—confirmed he pleaded no contest to a civil offense for OWI, which he described as “a recent personal failure.”
“I own this completely,” he wrote in a September Instagram statement. “Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. 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,” Romo—who became an analyst immediately after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys in 2017—added, “when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility.”
“That is an important first step,” he reflected. “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.”
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The former quarterback—who joined the Texas team in 2003 before becoming starting QB three years later—emphasized that he isn’t making excuses for his actions.
“These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them,” he explained. “The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully.”
“I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes, he concluded. “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 Romo focuses on his path forward, keep reading for more celebrities who’ve shared insight into their own sobriety journeys.
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