Tony Romo is speaking for himself now.
For the first time since his arrest on suspicion of OWI in July, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback issued a statement that directly addressed the incident, his health, and the road back to CBS. In it, Romo said he pleaded no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin and took full responsibility for what happened.
“This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin,” Romo stated. “I own this completely.”
He also opened up about the physical pain that followed the end of his playing career. Romo said multiple back surgeries cut his NFL run short and left him with “constant, debilitating pain,” which led to a dependence on pain medication and then “an over-reliance on alcohol.”
“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” he added. “That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.”
Romo stressed that he was not trying to use that history as a shield.
Romo went on to say he wasn't using that as an excuse and "I take full responsibility" for the mistake he made and is seeking help for his substance abuse issues.
He said the last month has forced him to confront the situation head-on, not just publicly but personally and with the people closest to him.
“The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront, own my mistakes fully - to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public,” Romo added.
“I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes.”
Romo also used the statement to signal his intent to return to CBS, where he works on the network’s No. 1 NFL broadcast team alongside Jim Nance. CBS had placed him on leave after the arrest.
At the end of his statement, Romo revealed that he intends to return to CBS, where he is on the No. 1 broadcast team for NFL games, along with his long-time partner Jim Nance. Romo was placed on leave by the network in the wake of his arrest.
He closed by asking for space as he deals with his health and personal issues.
“As I return my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period,” he concluded.
The arrest followed a July traffic stop, when Romo was pulled over and then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Body cam footage later surfaced showing him taking a field sobriety test that police said he performed poorly at, and he was ultimately hit with multiple citations.
Romo spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Cowboys. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2014, his third-to-last season.
Back injuries brought his playing days to an end after the 2016 campaign. He finished second in Cowboys history in passing yards and first in touchdowns.
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