Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is turning to faith and accountability after pleading no contest to an operating-while-intoxicated charge, saying he must “own” his mistakes “to the Lord” as he confronts his dependence on alcohol that followed years of chronic pain.
Romo called the incident a “personal failure,” and said he’s taking “full responsibility” while working with doctors to make changes in his life.
In a message posted on Instagram Tuesday, Romo publicly addressed his legal troubles for the first time since his July arrest, acknowledging that he had pleaded no contest to the Wisconsin charge.
“This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin,” Romo wrote. “I own this completely.”
“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” Romo explained. “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, however, that the circumstances behind his alcohol dependence don’t excuse his actions.
“As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility,” he wrote. “That is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward.”
“That path requires honesty,” he added. “None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.”
Romo reflected on how “The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant.” He assured his fans that his challenges have required him to “confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public.”
“I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes,” Romo insisted. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community, including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know.”
Romo concluded his message by requesting “privacy” as he focuses on “my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS” and included the words “God bless” directly above his signature.
Romo’s Instagram message comes more than a month after he was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in his home state of Wisconsin. As he alluded to in his comments, Romo has worked as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports following his retirement from the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, and has been placed on leave from the network “until further notice,” with no timetable announced for his return, according to CBS News.
According to court records, Romo was arrested on July 23. While charges of refusing to take a test for intoxication after his arrest, unsafe passing on the right and possessing open intoxicants in a motor vehicle were dismissed on the prosecutor’s motion, Romo pleaded no contest to the charge of operating while intoxicated.
As a result of the legal proceedings, Romo has had his driver’s license revoked for six months and must attend and complete an Alcohol Assessment Program. He must also pay a forfeiture of $784 by Nov. 2. He is also required to install ignition interlock devices in his vehicles for one year following license reinstatement, according to Crooks and Liars.
The situation also carries significant professional stakes: Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million contract with CBS/Paramount in 2020, and multiple reports indicate the company is exploring whether a morals clause in that agreement could allow it to part ways with him, according to Deadline.
Romo credited his decades-long career in football as both a player and analyst for enabling him to take accountability and make positive changes in his life.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: [email protected]
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