Bodycam Video Shows Tony Romo’s OWI Arrest in Milwaukee
A newly released bodycam video has given the public a closer look at the July traffic stop that led to the arrest of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo in Milwaukee.
Romo, 46, was arrested on July 23, 2026, after deputies stopped him while he was driving south on Interstate 43. According to the arrest report, the traffic stop followed concerns about unsafe passing and lane deviation. Deputies later said Romo showed signs that led them to conduct field sobriety tests.
What the Bodycam Footage Shows
The footage begins during the traffic stop, with a deputy approaching Romo's vehicle and asking about where he had been. Romo explained that he had been at a golf tournament in West Bend and was traveling to visit family.
When the deputy asked him to step out of the vehicle for sobriety testing, Romo repeatedly said he wanted to contact his lawyer first. Eventually, he exited the vehicle and was taken to a location where deputies could conduct the tests safely.
During the encounter, deputies cited bloodshot or glassy eyes, an odor of alcohol and difficulties with balance as factors contributing to their suspicion of impairment. The arrest report stated that Romo performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests.
Romo also declined a preliminary breath test and later refused a blood test at the time of the arrest. A warrant for a blood sample was subsequently issued.
Alcohol Container Found in the Vehicle
Authorities later cited Romo for possessing an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle. An inventory of the vehicle reportedly found an open alcoholic beverage container inside the Jeep.
The incident resulted in several citations, including first-offense OWI, unsafe passing on the right and possession of an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle.
Romo Has Since Taken Responsibility
The case has since moved forward. On September 1, Romo pleaded no contest to the OWI charge stemming from the July arrest.
Following the plea, Romo acknowledged publicly that his relationship with alcohol had become a problem. He connected his struggles to chronic pain following multiple back surgeries and an earlier reliance on pain medication. He described the situation as a personal failure and said he was working with medical professionals to address the issue.
As part of the outcome, Romo received a six-month revocation of his driving privileges, was ordered to complete an alcohol assessment program and must use an ignition interlock device. The additional citations for unsafe passing and possession of an open intoxicant were dismissed.
What Happens to His CBS Career?
The arrest also affected Romo's broadcasting career. CBS Sports placed him on leave following the incident, with J.J. Watt stepping in alongside Jim Nantz for the network's lead NFL broadcasts. Romo has expressed a desire to return to broadcasting while focusing on making changes in his personal life.
The bodycam footage has attracted significant attention because it provides a firsthand look at the encounter that eventually resulted in the OWI case. What began as a traffic stop ultimately became a major personal and professional setback for one of the NFL's best-known former quarterbacks.
0 comments:
Post a Comment