Tony Romo Pleads No Contest to OWI Offense After Golf Event Arrest

Tony Romo pleaded no contest Sept. 1 to a civil offense connected to a July 23 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, closing out a case that began the same day he played in the state's amateur championship.

What led to the arrest?

Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current NFL on CBS broadcaster, had competed in the 125th Wisconsin Amateur Championship earlier that day, finishing tied for 73rd. He was pulled over that evening while driving south on I-43 for unsafe passing and later failed standard field sobriety tests, according to court records. He declined a breathalyzer. Bodycam footage of the stop, obtained by TMZ, surfaced July 28.

What did the plea resolve?

Romo faced three charges: unsafe passing on the right, possessing open intoxicants and OWI. Court records show the passing and open-intoxicant charges were dismissed Sept. 1, while his no-contest plea to the OWI-related civil offense triggered a six-month license revocation, completion of an Alcohol Assessment Program and $834 in fines. He must also install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns or operates for at least a year after his license is reinstated.

"I own this completely."

Romo posted a statement on Instagram the morning of his plea, saying multiple back surgeries had led to dependence on pain medication and, in trying to move away from it, an over-reliance on alcohol. He asked for privacy while he works with doctors and, in time, returns to the CBS booth. CBS put him on leave July 31, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has since voiced public support for his former quarterback.