Tony Romo is out as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports following his July arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, the network said Friday.
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested during a July traffic stop in Milwaukee after police said he “performed poorly” on standardized field sobriety tests. One of the arresting officers said he detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” on Romo’s breath. Romo was taken into custody and later released. He pleaded no contest Sept. 1 and had his driving privileges revoked for six months. He was also ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle owned, registered or operated by him, attend and complete an alcohol assessment program, and pay a $784 fine.
In a statement Friday, Romo said he is proud of what he accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. “I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life — with a desire to win and be the best that I can be,” Romo said. He added that he plans to take a break to focus on his health and family “before moving on to my next opportunity.” “I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans,” he said.
Romo, 46, made four Pro Bowl appearances during an NFL career from 2004 to 2016 that was spent entirely with the Cowboys. Following his no contest plea, Romo said in an Instagram post that the multiple back surgeries that led to his retirement as a player “left me with constant, debilitating pain.” He noted that the 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,” Romo said. “These are my failures and I take responsibility for them.” He also said the past month had been difficult but personally significant. “It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully — to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public,” he said. Romo said he was working with a team of doctors.
CBS said J. J. Watt will continue to serve as the network’s lead analyst, a role he took when Romo was placed on leave ahead of the season. CBS Sports said Friday that Watt will continue to partner with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as the lead NFL announcing team for the rest of the season. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
