Tony Romo hit with 3 new charges after July DUI arrest with CBS future hanging in the balance amid Jerry Jones support | NFL News
Tony Romo’s legal trouble has taken another turn. On Thursday, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback received three new citations linked to his July arrest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The citations involve first-offense operating while intoxicated, unsafe passing on the right and possessing an open intoxicant in his vehicle.The latest filings add to the citation Romo already received for refusing an intoxication test after his arrest. He now has four citations tied to the July 23 traffic stop. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 21 in Milwaukee.
Tony Romo faces three new citations tied to July arrest
The new citations came more than a month after Milwaukee County authorities arrested Romo on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. According to reports based on court records, the first citation covers first-offense OWI. The second concerns unsafe passing on the right side. The third involves an open intoxicant inside his vehicle.The July 23 incident started when a sheriff’s deputy stopped Romo while he drove south on Interstate 43. Authorities said the stop followed an unsafe passing maneuver. Romo then performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests, according to the arrest report.An open bottle of alcohol also became part of the case. Authorities found it on the passenger side of Romo’s vehicle after the stop. Romo also received a citation for refusing an intoxication test following his arrest.Romo did not face a criminal conviction from the incident. Wisconsin treats a first-offense OWI as a civil offense rather than a criminal charge. The reported fines for the three new citations total more than $1,300, including $1,066 for the OWI, $235 for unsafe passing and $267 for the open-container citation.Romo’s representative addressed the latest development on Thursday. Speaking to TMZ, the spokesperson said, “Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions” and said Romo had taken steps to resolve what the representative described as an “isolated civil matter.” The spokesperson also said Romo’s team was working with local authorities and communicating with CBS about the next steps.
CBS future remains unclear while Jerry Jones backs Tony Romo
The legal case has already affected Romo’s broadcasting career. CBS Sports placed him on leave on July 31 and said he would remain away from his role until further notice. J.J. Watt has taken his place alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS’s lead NFL crew.CBS Sports president David Berson later addressed Romo’s situation on August 11 during NFL on CBS Media Day. Berson called it an “evolving situation” and said there was no timetable or final decision on Romo’s future with the network.That leaves Romo waiting for answers on both fronts. His court date comes September 21, while his CBS future remains under review.Jerry Jones, however, has continued to stand behind his former quarterback. During an interview with KDFW on August 1, the Cowboys owner said he had spoken with Romo and praised his character.“I love him,” Jones said during the interview. “I love what he’s about. I love his character. I love his love of sport. And he’s a very, very unique talent.”Jones also pointed to Romo’s ability to recover from difficult moments. “Do you think Tony Romo knows how to get up when he gets knocked down?” Jones asked. “He had a life of that. And absolutely, that’s one of his greatest attributes is that he can handle adversity.”For now, Romo’s next major date is September 21. Until then, the former Cowboys star has to deal with an expanded Wisconsin case and an uncertain future in the CBS booth.
