Tony Romo has spoken publicly about his July arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, taking responsibility for the incident and addressing the personal struggles he says contributed to his actions.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback used football as a way to discuss the situation openly and acknowledge the mistake he made. Romo explained that difficult periods in his life led to a dependence on medication. After attempting to stop taking the medication, he said he developed a dependence on alcohol.
Tony Romo says injuries contributed to early NFL retirement
Romo said his struggles began after multiple surgeries forced his NFL career to end earlier than he wanted. The procedures left him dealing with debilitating pain, although he emphasized that his circumstances do not excuse his behavior during the arrest.
Despite the embarrassment surrounding the incident, Romo chose to accept responsibility and discuss the factors behind it. He said he wants to continue setting a positive example for his three children and use the experience to teach them a lesson from a difficult period in his life.
Romo working with doctors to improve his health
Romo revealed that he is working with a team of doctors to make the necessary changes and pursue a healthier lifestyle. He said his family, friends and the NFL community have motivated him throughout the process, while also asking for privacy after the incident became public.
CBS Sports placed its lead NFL analyst on leave until further notice on July 31. The network later said there was no timetable for deciding Romo’s future. J.J. Watt subsequently replaced him alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team.
Romo did not provide a timetable for his return to CBS. However, he made clear that he hopes to resume broadcasting after taking time to focus on his health and family.
The statement was the first time Romo had publicly detailed the personal struggles he says led to the Wisconsin incident. After more than two decades in football, including 14 seasons with the Cowboys before beginning his broadcasting career at CBS, Romo said he is approaching the latest chapter of his life by applying lessons learned from the game.
