Why was Tony Romo arrested? Former Cowboys star faces unexpected legal trouble in Wisconsin | NFL News
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee on Thursday after deputies stopped his vehicle and suspected he was driving under the influence. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said Romo was booked and later released. He is due to make his first court appearance on September 21. Officials have not released any blood alcohol or toxicology results, and they have not said why his vehicle was initially stopped. CBS, where Romo works as the network’s lead NFL analyst, declined to comment on the incident. Authorities have also not shared whether anyone else was in the vehicle or if any additional tests were carried out after his arrest.
Tony Romo arrested in Milwaukee during Wisconsin golf tournament
Romo, 46, was back in his home state this week to play in the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship, a tournament he has regularly entered since retiring from the NFL.According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped Romo while he was driving south on Interstate 43 across a high-rise bridge. The arrest report says he performed poorly during several field sobriety tests. He was then taken into custody, booked and later released.So far, authorities have not released his blood alcohol level or any toxicology report. They have also not explained what led deputies to stop his vehicle in the first place.The incident happened after Romo had finished playing in the tournament.Romo grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin, about 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee. Before joining the NFL, he attended Burlington High School and later played college football at Eastern Illinois.Since retiring from football, golf has become one of his biggest sporting interests. He has tried to qualify for several professional tournaments and has also played in PGA Tour events through sponsor exemptions.
What could Tony Romo face after the suspected OWI arrest?
In Wisconsin, impaired driving cases are called Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).Under state law, a first OWI is generally treated as a civil offence rather than a criminal one, unless there are other serious circumstances. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says a first offence usually carries a forfeiture ranging from $150 to $300, along with a mandatory $435 surcharge.A driver may also face a licence revocation lasting between six and nine months, an alcohol assessment and other related costs.State officials say penalties can become more serious if there are aggravating factors, such as a higher alcohol concentration or a minor being inside the vehicle. Authorities have not alleged any of those circumstances in Romo’s case.Romo joined CBS in 2017 soon after ending his 14-season NFL career, all of which he spent with the Dallas Cowboys. He became well known for accurately predicting plays before the snap while working alongside Jim Nantz on the network’s top NFL broadcasts.During his playing career, Romo threw for 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdown passes, making him the Cowboys’ all-time leader in touchdown passes. Dak Prescott later broke his franchise record for career passing yards.CBS has not said whether the arrest will affect Romo’s role with the network. More details are expected to emerge when he appears in court on September 21.
