Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is making headlines again, but this time it has nothing to do with football or broadcasting.
According to multiple reports, Romo was arrested Thursday night in Milwaukee after being stopped on a highway on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Fox News reported that law enforcement officers asked the former NFL star to complete a series of field sobriety tests, which he reportedly performed poorly. He was taken into custody, booked, and later released. His mug shot quickly spread across social media as news of the arrest circulated.
The incident came at the end of what had already been a disappointing day for the former quarterback.
Earlier that same day, Romo competed in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament. The New York Post reported that the four-time Pro Bowler finished the event at 35 over par, a difficult result for someone who has spent years pursuing competitive golf after retiring from the NFL. Despite the finish, Romo has remained committed to the sport, often describing golf as his greatest athletic passion outside of football.
According to the Associated Press, Romo also has personal ties to the Milwaukee area, having attended high school in Wisconsin before beginning his college football career and eventually reaching the NFL.
BREAKING: Tony Romo arrested for OWI in Milwaukee.
Details: https://t.co/GzYXhUh3Fn pic.twitter.com/7hc6pSL5lC
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 24, 2026
Golf has become a major part of Romo’s post-football life. While his NFL career earned him millions of dollars, his appearance at the Wisconsin Amateur Championship reportedly brought in just $60 in prize money. Even so, Romo has consistently continued entering tournaments during the NFL offseason, making it clear that he enjoys competing regardless of the financial reward.
The arrest now raises questions that extend beyond his golf ambitions. Romo currently serves as CBS Sports’ lead NFL color commentator alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz. The pair handles the network’s highest-profile broadcasts, including Super Bowl LVIII, making Romo one of the most visible analysts in professional football. Whether the incident affects his broadcasting role remains to be seen.
Romo spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after joining the franchise in 2003. Over 13 seasons, he established himself as one of the league’s most productive quarterbacks, earning four Pro Bowl selections and setting several franchise passing records. Despite his regular-season success, postseason accomplishments proved more elusive. The Cowboys never advanced to the NFC Championship Game during Romo’s tenure, and his playoff record became a recurring topic throughout his career.
After retiring following the 2016 season, Romo quickly transitioned into broadcasting. His early work at CBS drew widespread praise for his ability to anticipate plays before they unfolded, earning him recognition as one of football’s most insightful analysts. In more recent years, however, some viewers have argued that his performances in the booth have become more inconsistent than when he first entered television.
Romo is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21.
