Tony Romo, the former star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, found himself in legal trouble after being apprehended on suspicion of driving under the influence in Wisconsin. During the incident, captured on police bodycam footage, Romo asserted that he had not consumed any alcohol and fervently requested to contact his lawyer.
Exclusive footage obtained by The Daily Mail reveals the tense moments as law enforcement stopped Romo on a Milwaukee interstate. The former NFL player was reportedly unable to satisfactorily perform the field sobriety test administered by the officer at the scene.
Appearing visibly disoriented, the 46-year-old initially seemed bewildered when the officer explained the reasons for the traffic stop. He was cited for making an ‘unsafe passing on the right’ and ‘cutting across the gore’, actions that prompted the officer to intervene.
Trying to explain his whereabouts, Romo mentioned to the officer that he had just left a golf course and was en route to visit his grandparents. This detail, however, did not sway the ongoing investigation at the time.
Once the officer returned after verifying his driver’s license, the conversation turned toward Romo’s alcohol consumption. When questioned about how much he had drunk, Romo steadfastly responded, “Zero,” maintaining his stance despite the circumstances that unfolded.
The officer then tells Romo she wants to carry out a field sobriety test, causing Romo to scramble for his cell phone. He initially refuses to get out of his Jeep and says he’s going to call his lawyer and film their interaction.
Bodycam footage of the moment Tony Romo was pulled over by police last week has emerged
Romo initially told the officer he’d had ‘zero’ drinks when asked and wanted to call his lawyer
The 6ft 2ins ex-quarterback struggled to fit into the police car and complained about his back
The former Dallas Cowboys star can then be seen performing ‘poorly’ in a field sobriety test
A disinterested and confused Romo interrupts the officer as she tries to explain the exercises
When he eventually does step out of his car, Romo asks the officer: ‘Because I’m coming from a golf course you think I’m drunk?’
The officer then tells Romo he’s being detained for OWI and she will take him to a safer place for his testing before placing handcuffs on the ex-quarterback.
The 6ft 2ins ex-quarterback struggles to squeeze into the back of the police car and complains about back pain once he arrives at the police station.
The police officer tells Romo her partner found ‘shooters’ in his backpack but he fires back with: ‘I don’t think any of them were drank, right?’
Before starting his test, Romo stretches and cites his ‘two back surgeries’ before yawning. Three other officers are stood watching Romo.
A disinterested and confused Romo then continuously interrupts the officer as she tries to explain the exercises in the test. He also asks her to repeat things a number of times and give demonstrations for him.
Romo, who forms half of CBS’ top NFL broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz and is paid $18m-a-year, was later pictured smirking in a humiliating mugshot.
The arrest report states Romo was booked on one count of operating while intoxicated, first offense for allegedly performing ‘poorly’ on standardized field sobriety tests.
Romo, who grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin, spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Cowboys, leading Dallas to four postseason appearances as the team’s starting quarterback between 2006 and 2015.
Romo smirked in his mugshot after being arrested for OWI in Milwaukee after a golf event
Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson, is married to wife Candice, a past Miss Missouri
However, despite earning four Pro Bowl nods during his time on the field, Romo failed to make it to the Super Bowl, never advancing past the divisional round.
He lost his starting position to then-rookie Dak Prescott in 2016, retiring from football at the end of that season.
After hanging up his cleats, Romo went on to become the lead color analyst for NFL on CBS. He will be entering his tenth season as a sportscaster this fall.
In recent seasons, Romo has been criticized for his strange affectations and his errors in commentary.
Whether it was confusing Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes, letting out a bizarre groan in Bills-Jaguars or calling a 4th & 1 carry like a first-down, Romo had his share of blunders in last season’s playoffs alone.
Romo said he felt unwell during the Bills-Jaguars incident, explaining: ‘We had a bunch of guys sick, we were just grinding through it. You’re not going to miss a playoff game.’
In December 2023, at the height of ‘Tayvis’ Mania, Romo bizarrely addressed Taylor Swift as the wife of Travis Kelce while she watched him play for the Kansas City Chiefs.
It came long before the couple announced their engagement back in August of 2025 and got married last month.
But the rogue play-calling is something Romo is becoming known for and in the eyes of many NFL fans, it is increasingly at the expense of the CBS coverage.
The former quarterback spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys
Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson from 2007 to 2009, is married to Candice Crawford Romo, a former broadcast journalist and past Miss Missouri. They have three children.
On Sunday, Romo quietly pulled out of the Texas State Open golf tournament in the wake of his shocking drunk driving arrest.
He was previously listed among the participants in the historic competition at Cascades Country Club in Tyler, Texas this week, but organizers revealed he will no longer play.
In a statement to KLTV, the club confirmed: ‘Although we’re disappointed he won’t be joining us, we’re still looking forward to an exciting week of competitive golf.’
Romo is a yearly participant in the Texas State Open golf tournament, an historic event which is open to both professionals and amateurs.
Held in Tyler since 2018, the 56th running of the competition is due to tee off on Monday, but Romo appears keen to stay out of the spotlight as the fallout continues.
Romo was also due to participate in a Q&A ahead of the start of the tournament, which organizers confirmed he will also not be present for.