Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports NFL analyst Tony Romo was arrested Thursday night in Milwaukee County on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), according to multiple reports citing Wisconsin law enforcement records.
The incident marks the first publicly reported arrest of Romo’s career and quickly became one of the biggest sports stories of the day. According to local reports, Romo was pulled over at approximately 8 p.m. while driving southbound on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee.
Authorities alleged that the former NFL star did not successfully complete standard field sobriety tests administered by officers at the scene. He was subsequently taken into custody and booked before being released later that same evening.
As of Friday afternoon, additional details surrounding the traffic stop, including whether a chemical breath or blood test was administered, had not been released publicly.
Romo’s representatives had not issued a public statement as of publication, and no additional information regarding the circumstances leading up to the stop has been disclosed. The case remains in its early stages, with officials expected to release more information as the investigation continues.
Under Wisconsin law, a first-offense operating while intoxicated violation is generally treated as a civil offense rather than a criminal misdemeanor, provided there are no aggravating circumstances such as injuries or prior offenses.
Typical penalties can include monetary fines, license-related consequences and mandatory alcohol assessment requirements. Reports indicate Romo’s alleged offense appears to fall under Wisconsin’s standard first-offense OWI statute, though formal proceedings will determine how the case ultimately moves forward.
Romo, 46, spent his entire 14-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after joining the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He retired following the 2016 season and immediately transitioned into broadcasting, where he became CBS Sports’ lead NFL game analyst alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz.
Romo quickly earned praise for his ability to predict offensive plays before the snap, helping establish himself as one of the network’s highest-profile commentators.
During his playing career, Romo threw for more than 34,000 passing yards and 248 touchdowns while earning four Pro Bowl selections. Although he never reached a Super Bowl, he remains one of the most productive quarterbacks in Cowboys franchise history and continues to be a prominent figure during the NFL season through his work on CBS broadcasts.
Neither CBS Sports nor the NFL has publicly commented on the matter, and there has been no indication of any professional consequences related to the arrest.
