Tony Romo said Tuesday that pain suffered during his career as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys led to “an over-reliance on alcohol.”
The admission from the CBS NFL analyst was posted to Instagram after he pleaded no-contest to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
“This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin,” Romo wrote. “I own this completely.”
“Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain,” he said. “That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.”
Romo, 46, “performed poorly” during a July traffic stop in Milwaukee and was arrested on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.
As part of his plea, Romo will have his driving privileges revoked for six months and pay a $748 fine, according to court documents.
The arrest led to his prompt suspension by CBS, where he had joined the network’s top NFL broadcast booth after he retired following 13 seasons with the Cowboys. CBS elevated former NFL star defender J.J. Watt to take his place.
Last month, CBS Sports president David Berson said he did not have a timeline for a potential return for Romo because “it’s an evolving situation, and therefore we’re still assessing.”
Romo did hint a return is possible in his statement Tuesday, saying that he was asking for privacy “as I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS.”
“As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility,” Romo added. “This is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward.
“That path requires honesty. None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take that responsibility for them,” he wrote.
“I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes,” Romo said. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know.”
