CBS announces Tony Romo's permanent exit following arrest for operating
a vehicle while intoxicated
[October 03, 2026]
CBS Sports and Tony Romo have officially parted ways, one month
after the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback pleaded no contest to
charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Romo had been on leave since his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin. He had
been the lead game analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage since 2017.
“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” CBS Sports
said Friday in a statement. “We thank Tony for his contributions over
the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”
Analyst JJ Watt had joined play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline
reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s
absence. Watt will continue in that role now and all other CBS teams
will remain the same.
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine
years," Romo said in a statement. "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. I’m going to use this time to take a
break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my
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.”
Romo was arrested following a traffic stop as he was driving south on
Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. He pleaded no contest to a charge of
operating while intoxicated on Sept. 1 and issued a statement
apologizing for the actions that led to his arrest.
According to Milwaukee County court records, Romo lost his driving
privileges for six months and was ordered to complete an alcohol
assessment program.
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In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, CBS football analyst Tony
Romo walks across the field during warm ups before an NFL football
game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, in
Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
 “The past month has been difficult,
but it has also been personally significant,” Romo said Sept. 1 in a
statement on Instagram. “It has required me to confront and own my
mistakes fully — to the Lord, to myself, to my family and now to the
public.”
Romo said 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.”
Romo said he is working with a team of doctors to address his health
and “make the necessary changes.”
The 46-year-old Romo made four Pro Bowl appearances during a playing
career that ran from 2004-16 and was spent entirely with Dallas.
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