Tony Romo Arrested - ByteWire News

CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence in Milwaukee on Thursday, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests after being stopped on Interstate 43 and has a court date set for Sept. 21.

The arrest took place on Thursday as the 46-year-old former quarterback was driving south on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, officers pulled Romo over on a high-rise bridge after he caught their attention on the highway.

The Traffic Stop and Booking Details in Milwaukee

Sheriff’s officials stated that Romo performed poorly on standard field sobriety tests during the roadside stop. Following the tests, he was taken into custody, booked at the facility, and subsequently released later that same night. Local media outlets noted that it is his first offence related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. If found guilty of the charge, he could face a driver’s licence suspension alongside a mandatory fine.

In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, CBS football analyst Tony Romo walks across the field during warm ups before an NFL — Photo: ctvnews.ca

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared details of the incident on social media, quoting the timeline and the official court appearance schedule.

“Romo was pulled over yesterday around 8 pm and taken into custody after performing poorly on standard field sobriety tests. He’s due in court on Sept. 21.”

Ari Meirov, The 33rd Team

TMZ added that Romo appeared slightly smiling in his mug shot while in custody following the stop on the high-rise bridge along southbound I-43. CBS Sports, where Romo serves as the lead game analyst, has had no comment regarding the arrest.

From Burlington High School Standout to Cowboys Franchise Leader

Romo maintains deep roots in the state where the arrest occurred. He grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin, located about 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee, where he starred at Burlington High School. While he ultimately became a record-setting NFL quarterback, he was well known locally during his youth for his basketball prowess, averaging 24.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists as a senior and drawing interest from Division I mid-major programs before attending Eastern Illinois.

Romo seen wearing a hat outside while golfing — Photo: BBC

Undrafted in 2003, Romo made the Cowboys roster and developed into the team’s full-time starter by 2006. Over a 14-year career spent entirely in Dallas from 2004 to 2016, he earned four Pro Bowl nods, captured All-Pro honors in 2014, and retired as the franchise’s leader in career touchdown passes with 248. He also held the franchise record for career passing yards at 34,183 until Dak Prescott surpassed that mark during the previous season following a preseason back injury that effectively ended Romo’s playing days in 2016.

Broadcasting Career and Recent Fan Scrutiny

Transitioning immediately from the field to the broadcast booth in 2017, Romo joined CBS Sports as its lead NFL game analyst. His early years in the booth drew widespread praise for his knack for predicting plays before the snap. However, public sentiment shifted over time as viewers grew more demanding of television color commentators.

NFL legend turned CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on Thursday

“However, nothing quite boiled over until there was a notable shift among the fans in how he called games involving Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.”

Griffin Missant, Yahoo Sports NFL reporter

Financially, Romo’s broadcasting compensation dwarfs his playing earnings. During his career with the Cowboys, he earned $127.2 million. In contrast, he signed a lucrative 10-year, $180 million contract with CBS Sports in 2020 that keeps him at the network through 2030.

With his mandatory court appearance scheduled for Sept. 21, legal proceedings will determine whether the operating-while-intoxicated charge results in penalties such as a driver’s licence suspension or fines, while CBS has yet to indicate how the off-season arrest might impact his broadcasting duties.