Tony Romo on Leave from CBS After DUI Arrest

Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL lead analyst, is on leave following his recent arrest for suspected DUI. CBS Sports confirmed this decision on Friday, indicating that Romo’s leave is indefinite.

As Romo steps away, JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as part of CBS Sports’ leading NFL broadcast team. The change comes after Romo’s arrest on July 23. He was stopped while driving on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office noted Romo failed field sobriety tests, leading to his arrest and subsequent release.

The incident report from Milwaukee County revealed that an open alcoholic bottle was discovered in Romo’s vehicle, a black Jeep. Romo was initially stopped by police for driving through a gore area, a designated space separating traffic lanes. During the encounter, Romo claimed unfamiliarity with the gore area rules.

Body camera footage showed Romo explaining to officers that he was returning from a golf course, en route to visit family. Officers observed signs of impairment, citing his “red glassy eyes” and the “odor of an alcoholic beverage.” Romo has a scheduled court appearance on September 21.

Romo, a Burlington, Wisconsin native, excelled in his NFL career, playing exclusively for the Dallas Cowboys from 2004 to 2016. He is the team’s career leader with 248 touchdown passes and previously held the record for passing yards until surpassed by Dak Prescott.

JJ Watt, who joined CBS in 2023, will temporarily fill Romo’s role. Watt has prior experience with “The NFL Today” and served on CBS’s No. 2 crew last season.

Romo was not due to begin his on-air duties until the regular season opener on September 13. In the interim, CBS will televise a preseason matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles on August 28. The network is expected to announce its broadcasting team for the early regular season games shortly.