The former Dallas quarterback takes accountability for his Wisconsin DWI arrest, citing a cycle of chronic pain and prescription pills that fueled a dangerous dependency on alcohol.
FRISCO - Tony Romo has posted a statement on social media explaining that his recent arrest for driving while intoxicated is tied to what he is calling "an over-reliance'' on pain medication and alcohol.''
Romo, 46, had his driving privileges revoked for six months after he pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he was driving while intoxicated in late July in his home state of Wisconsin.
Police arrested the iconic Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports lead football analyst on July 23. Court records show that one of the arresting officers said he detected a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on Romo's breath and law-enforcement officials also say Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was therefore taken into custody.
Among the charges: Romo was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication after an arrest and for possessing open intoxicants.
Following his plea, a Milwaukee County court found Romo guilty. So in addition to suspending his driving privileges, an ignition interlock device must be installed on any vehicle owned, registered or operated by him.
Romo is also required to attend and complete an alcohol assessment program while paying a $784 fine.
In a statement he posted to social media on Tuesday, Romo noted that multiple back surgeries ended his career and left him in "constant, debilitating pain" ... and that led him to rely on medication and alcohol.
"My efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol," Romo wrote in the statement. "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 ..."
He added, "None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them ... I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes."
Romo was elected to four Pro Bowls during a noteworthy NFL career that started with him being an undrafted free agent. He played in Dallas from 2004 to 2016 and then immediately moved into the No. 1 chair for the NFL on CBS.
He remains on leave at CBS Sports - where he makes $20 million per year - but is reportedly negotiating toward a return to the air.
Recently, CBS Sports president David Berson said that Romo's future with the network is an "evolving situation (that) we are still assessing."
