Bodycam footage from former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo‘s arrest in Milwaukee has been released, shedding light on the events that led to the former NFL star being taken into custody on suspicion of operating while under the influence.
The video, published by TMZ and obtained by TMJ4, captures both the initial traffic stop and the subsequent field sobriety tests. Romo was pulled over on a busy highway bridge. The deputy told Romo they would have to “basically yell at each other” due to noise. Romo stated he had left a golf course where he was playing in a USGA tournament and was heading to meet his grandparents. He said he had nothing to drink and immediately called his lawyer.
When instructed to submit to a field sobriety test, Romo repeatedly asked to call his attorney. The deputy repeatedly denied the request. At one point, Romo placed his cell phone on the back of his Jeep to record the stop. Because of the location, the officer said she would take him to a level area for testing.
In the second video, Romo performs the tests in bare feet. He struggled with the instructions for the walk-and-turn test. “Do you understand the instructions?” the deputy asked. “No,” Romo replied. “I don’t. There’s too many.” He added that he had undergone “two back surgeries” which affected his ability. During the test, his heel landed far in front of his toe each time. When asked to stand on one leg, Romo initially could not decide which leg to use and used his arms for balance.
The body camera audio revealed difficulty hearing, with both parties asking for clarification. Romo showed confusion during the eye-tracking test, moving his head when told to keep still.
Romo refused multiple tests. When asked to submit to a preliminary breathalyzer, he said, “We’re not doing that. I hear from all the lawyers, ‘Don’t ever do that.'” He refused the evidentiary breath test after being read Wisconsin‘s implied consent law, stating, “Like I said, I want my lawyer for the eighth time.” He also asked, “Did I pass this test?” The deputy replied, “Turn around.” Romo responded, “No, I didn’t. Huh?”
As the arrest began, Romo asked to make a call because “there’s a plane taking off.” He was then placed under arrest. The deputy explained that a search warrant would be obtained for a mandatory blood draw. Romo later received a traffic ticket for refusing to take an intoxication test.
