Tony Romo Arrested for Operating While Intoxicated in Milwaukee

The arrest occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. when deputies stopped Romo’s vehicle on the high-rise bridge heading south on I-43, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office arrest detention report. A search warrant obtained by local news outlets revealed that the former NFL star was traveling at a high rate of speed and passing other vehicles during heavy rush hour traffic in the Marquette Interchange.

Deputies noted that Romo had bloodshot and glassy eyes upon being stopped. While speaking with Romo, I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, the responding deputy wrote in the search warrant.

Traffic Stop Details and Field Sobriety Testing

When questioned by law enforcement, Romo stated that he was coming from a golf course and heading to meet his parents. According to the search warrant documents, he told the deputy he did not have anything to drink.

The traffic stop escalated as officers requested that he step out of the vehicle for testing.

“I asked Romo to step out of the vehicle, I informed Romo he would be put through some tests. Romo stated he was calling his lawyer. I asked Romo if he was refusing to step out of the vehicle, Romo stated he was not refusing. Romo placed his phone on the rear of his vehicle to record the traffic stop.”

Responding Deputy, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office

Authorities transported Romo to the Milwaukee County Jail sallyport, where officers reported he performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests and refused a preliminary breath test. Court documents state that during the physical assessments, Romo struggled to maintain his balance, started walking too early, missed heel-to-toe steps, and executed an improper turn. The arrest record does not indicate that any blood alcohol concentration or breathalyzer testing was administered at the station.

Romo was booked into the jail at approximately 9:45 p.m. on July 23 and subsequently released at around 11 p.m. Wisconsin legal statutes classify a first-offense operating while intoxicated violation as a traffic ticket rather than a criminal charge, with citations typically carrying a fine between $150 and $300. His court date is scheduled for September 21, though legal appearances for such citations are not mandatory.

Former NFL Quarterback Tony Romo Charged with DUI in Milwaukee

Wisconsin Golf Schedule Preceded the Milwaukee Arrest

Prior to the traffic stop, Romo had been competing in Wisconsin athletic events. A Burlington native who graduated from Burlington High School, Romo participated in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship in West Bend, which ran from July 20 to July 23. He tied for 73rd place in the tournament.

Earlier in the month, the former Cowboys quarterback played in the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, completing the tournament on July 12. Romo enjoyed an extensive NFL career, serving as the Dallas starting quarterback from 2006 to 2015 before an injury sidelined him in 2016. He retired following that season with career totals of 34,183 passing yards, 248 touchdowns, and 117 interceptions across 65.3% of completed passes, earning four Pro Bowl selections.

Professional Status at CBS and Immediated Public Retreat

Following his retirement in 2017, Romo transitioned directly into sports broadcasting, pairing with Jim Nantz as the lead color commentator for CBS and calling three Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Industry analysts have examined whether the legal incident will impact his broadcasting position.

According to Nbcsports, the arrest is not expected to alter his employment standing at CBS. An unnamed source indicated that while he might step back a little, short term, but he isn’t going anywhere long term, adding that That wouldn’t make any sense for us at all.

Employment contracts for major network analysts typically include termination clauses allowing networks to cancel deals without cause while owing the contract’s balance, whereas termination with cause eliminates financial liability. Legal analysts note that whether an OWI arrest provides CBS an exit depends entirely on specific contract language, though network leadership has shown no inclination to sever ties.

Immediate professional adjustments followed the incident. Romo contacted network executives almost immediately after the arrest to report the development ahead of public dissemination. Over the weekend, he withdrew from the Texas State Open and canceled an appearance at a scheduled golf tournament, opting to maintain a low profile while preparing for the upcoming football season.