Tony Romo Faces OWI Citations and Refuses Breathalyzer in Wisconsin Incident

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS sports analyst Tony Romo was arrested on July 23 in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating while intoxicated after performing poorly on a field sobriety test during a traffic stop on Interstate 43. The arrest followed Romo's weekend participation in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament at West Bend Country Club. He now faces four citations and a court appearance scheduled for September 21 in Milwaukee County.

Details of the Arrest

A Milwaukee County Sheriff's officer pulled Romo over while he was driving southbound on Interstate 43 after 6 p.m. for unsafe passing on the right and lane deviation. During the traffic stop, Romo provided his driver's license and phone number to the officer. After being asked how many drinks he had consumed, he was administered a standard field sobriety test, which he failed according to the arrest report. He was taken into custody and booked into county jail after 9 p.m., then subsequently released.

Body camera footage from the arrest revealed that officers found multiple alcoholic shooters in Romo's backpack during the initial search. A second officer conducting an inventory of the vehicle discovered an open bottle of alcoholic beverage on the passenger side, which resulted in an additional citation.

Citations and Legal Consequences

Romo faces four citations: operating under the influence, unsafe passing on the right, possession of an open bottle of alcoholic beverage in his vehicle, and refusal to take a second breathalyzer test. Wisconsin criminal defense attorneys flagged the refusal to submit to a second breath test as potentially the most serious issue. Unlike Texas, where similar charges carry criminal penalties including jail time and probation, Wisconsin violations operate under a civil penalty system. According to legal experts consulted by Dallas News, Romo will not face any jail time or probation, though the citations will result in civil fines that increase due to the open container violation.

Romo is an avid golfer and was in Wisconsin competing in the amateur championship when the incident occurred. He has not publicly commented on the arrest, and CBS has not yet disclosed any decisions regarding his $180 million broadcasting contract, which pays him approximately $18 million per season for calling Sunday NFL games.