Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and lead analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage, is on leave following his arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. CBS Sports announced that Romo will remain on leave indefinitely.
JJ Watt will fill in alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as part of CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence. Romo, aged 46, was arrested on July 23. He was stopped on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office reports highlighted his poor performance on field sobriety tests before he was detained and released.
Romo’s court date is scheduled for September 21. The wake of his arrest revealed an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage on the passenger side of Romo’s Jeep, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest occurred after police noticed Romo passing vehicles improperly in a section known as a gore area, which separates interstate traffic from incoming ramp vehicles. When stopped, Romo seemed unfamiliar with the term ‘gore area’.
Recent body camera footage showed Romo explaining to deputies that he was returning from a golf course and heading to visit relatives. The footage also revealed that an officer suspected impairment due to Romo having red, glassy eyes and an alcohol odor.
Having attended high school in Burlington, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee, Romo has been with CBS as the lead game analyst since 2017. His NFL career spanned from 2004 to 2016, featuring four Pro Bowl appearances, all with the Dallas Cowboys. Romo is the Cowboys’ all-time leader in touchdown passes, and his career passing yards were recently surpassed by Dak Prescott.
JJ Watt joined CBS in 2023, having previously been an analyst on “The NFL Today.” He worked with Ian Eagle on the network’s No. 2 crew last season. Romo wasn’t expected to commentate until the NFL’s regular season kick-off on September 13. Meanwhile, CBS will broadcast a preseason match between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 28. The network is likely to disclose its game assignments and announcer lineups for the initial three weeks of the season soon.
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