Tony Romo Pleads No Contest To OWI, Says Back Surgeries Led To Pain Medication 'Dependence'
Tony Romo resolved his July Milwaukee arrest Tuesday morning, pleading no contest to a first-offense OWI civil citation and posting a detailed Instagram statement that went further than anyone expected about what led to that night.
"Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain," Romo wrote. "That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol. None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take full responsibility for them."
He said he is working with a team of doctors to address his health and intends to return to CBS Sports "in time."
His license has been revoked for six months. He must install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns and complete an alcohol assessment program.
He was fined $784. JJ Watt will fill in as CBS's lead NFL analyst while Romo is on leave. CBS Sports president David Berson said the network is still assessing Romo's situation.
Wisconsin's first-offense OWI is a civil matter, not a criminal charge, which means no jail time and no criminal record. The additional citations Romo received, open intoxicants in a vehicle, unsafe passing on the right and refusal to submit to testing, were also addressed in Tuesday's proceedings.
