Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports broadcaster Tony Romo told police he was on his way to meet his grandparents when he was pulled over and eventually arrested for suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin on July 23.
In video footage obtained by TMZ, Romo told the officer he had just left a golf tournament.
The officer asked Romo "how many drinks" he had.
"Zero," Romo responded.
The officer said she would run Romo through some field sobriety tests.
Romo repeatedly asked the officer if he can call his lawyer before going through field sobriety tests, and the officer said he cannot.
"I'll do it, I'm just saying, I'm not allowed to call my lawyer first?" Romo asked.
The officer said he is pending an OWI investigation.
Romo eventually stepped out of the vehicle and was detained in handcuffs.
"Because I'm coming from a golf course, you think I'm drunk?" he questioned.
The officer eventually placed Romo in the back of a patrol car.
Watch the footage below:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tony Romo told cops he was on his way to meet his grandma and grandpa when he was pulled over and ultimately busted for OWI ... newly released body camera footage shows. pic.twitter.com/visfkPfxGT
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 29, 2026
TMZ shared further:
Later footage shows Romo at the police station performing field sobriety tests. During the exercises, he says he has trouble bending over because of previous back surgeries.
As we reported, cops said Romo performed poorly during the field sobriety exercises and arrested him on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.
Court records showed Romo was also cited for refusing to take an intoxication test after his arrest, putting his driving privileges in jeopardy.
Romo has requested a hearing to challenge the citation, but he could still lose his license for a year.
ADVERTISEMENTThe arrest came after Romo competed in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship. He later withdrew from a separate golf tournament in Texas that he has regularly attended over the years.
Comments on social media mostly defended Romo's conduct during the stop.
"Watching the video, Tony Romo is polite and coherent. No signs of him being belligerent nor intoxicated. Obviously haven’t seen the video footage or the ultimate test, but he couldn’t have been a nicer guy and fully compliant. Asking to speak to an attorney to understand his rights seems entirely reasonable," former Congressman Jason Chaffetz said.
Watching the video, Tony Romo is polite and coherent. No signs of him being belligerent nor intoxicated. Obviously haven’t seen the video footage or the ultimate test, but he couldn’t have been a nicer guy and fully compliant. Asking to speak to an attorney to understand his… https://t.co/BZVStnDg5E
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) July 29, 2026
"Yeah. Tony Romo was not drunk. At least it can’t be proven, certainly not enough to warrant an arrest. I would daresay he more likely than not is sober. So never submit to a field sobriety test, especially if you’ve had the back injuries that he has had. It’s designed to fail," another X user said.
"The situation is that they don’t have probable cause to arrest you. So they recruit you into incriminating yourself, a basic 5th Amendment situation. You have the right against self incrimination, so never dance like a monkey for anyone," he continued.
Yeah. Tony Romo was not drunk. At least it can’t be proven, certainly not enough to warrant an arrest. I would daresay he more likely than not is sober. So never submit to a field sobriety test, especially if you’ve had the back injuries that he has had. It’s designed to fail.… https://t.co/tLLQQpb9y6
— Blake Bassham (@blakewbassham) July 29, 2026
"Objectively, he did nothing wrong. I can’t twist this anyway that gives her reason to arrest him. He looked completely coherent and cooperative. She seemed like she was on a power trip," another X user commented.
Objectively, he did nothing wrong. I can’t twist this anyway that gives her reason to arrest him. He looked completely coherent and cooperative. She seemed like she was on a power trip.
— AnonCFA (@Anon_CFA) July 29, 2026
Watch footage of the field sobriety tests below:
new video from tony romo’s wisconsin owi arrest.
the footage shows romo going through a series of field sobriety tests with officers in what appears to be a police garage following the traffic stop. https://t.co/uwzjhV1e18 pic.twitter.com/KbdA5zr2jE
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) July 29, 2026
Fox News has more:
The arresting officer said she observed red, glassy eyes and smelled alcohol coming from Romo.
After completing the tests, Romo refused to take a breath test, telling the officer, "I've heard from all the lawyers don't ever do that."
ADVERTISEMENTRomo was cited for first-offense operating while intoxicated and refusing to submit to a chemical test. Romo was released and is due in court on Sept. 21.
Watch the complete footage below:






