Tony Romo Formally Charged With OWI and Two Other Counts After July Arrest

Charges Filed More Than a Month After the Arrest

Tony Romo, who was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated on July 23, now faces three formal charges stemming from that arrest, according to online court records: unsafe passing on the right, possessing open intoxicants, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). All three charges were filed on Thursday, August 27. The formal filing marks a significant escalation in a case that has already cost the former NFL star his spot on one of television's most prominent sports desks.

Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on July 23, stopped around 5:30 p.m. while traveling southbound on Interstate 43 just south of the Marquette Interchange, where he "performed poorly" on standard field sobriety tests. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback told officers he was leaving a golf course and was on his way to see his grandparents. An open container was also found in the passenger seat of Romo's vehicle during the stop.

What the Bodycam Footage and Sobriety Tests Revealed

Bodycam footage from the scene showed Romo being placed under arrest after failing a field sobriety test, with video capturing him going through the test in a parking garage and asking officers numerous questions. The arresting officer indicated that Romo was stopped for "unsafe passing on the right" and "cutting across the gore," the former of which is reflected in the citation. Romo also refused to take a breathalyzer test following the arrest.

Under Wisconsin law, a first-offense OWI is generally a civil offense, not a criminal charge, and the citation typically carries a fine ranging from $150 to $300. That legal distinction may limit the direct courtroom consequences Romo faces, but the professional fallout has proven far more severe than any fine.

CBS Puts Romo on Leave, JJ Watt Steps In

Romo was placed on leave by CBS eight days after the arrest, a move that came alongside the release of multiple bodycam videos that created a general bad look for Romo. CBS elevated J.J. Watt to replace Romo on the network's top broadcast team, and it appears to be a move that will cover the entire season. That means Romo will be absent from the booth as the NFL season gets underway — a striking absence for one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting.

Romo has four years left on his CBS contract at a total payout of $72 million, and CBS could attempt to terminate the deal for cause, owing him nothing. The financial and career stakes could hardly be higher. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones weighed in on the situation, telling KDFW Fox 4 that he had been in contact with Romo and speaking warmly about his former quarterback's resilience, asking rhetorically whether anyone doubted Romo's ability to get back up when knocked down, calling it "one of his greatest attributes."

What Comes Next for Romo

With formal charges now on the books and the NFL season about to begin without him in the broadcast booth, Romo faces a defining moment on multiple fronts. His legal case will work its way through Milwaukee County courts, and while a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin is unlikely to result in jail time, the public and professional damage is already done. The question now is whether CBS will use this as grounds to restructure or exit his massive contract — or whether Romo can eventually reclaim his seat alongside Jim Nantz.

The broader story here is one about accountability and second chances in the spotlight. Romo spent years building a reputation as one of the sharpest, most entertaining analysts in football broadcasting. That reputation is now under serious strain, and how he — and CBS — navigate the coming months will likely define the next chapter of his post-playing career.