Tony Romo’s emotional exit: Star QB walks away from CBS and the media after DUI scandal

T ony Romo is stepping away from CBS and the spotlight altogether, saying he needs to prioritize his health and family after an OWI arrest earlier this year brought his broadcasting career to an abrupt halt. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback had been earning a reported $18 million annually as CBS ' lead NFL color commentator and still had four years remaining on the lucrative contract he signed in 2020.

He was placed on indefinite leave following his July 23 arrest in Milwaukee and CBS subsequently turned to JJ Watt to work alongside Jim Nantz over the airwaves. Watt has handled the role through the opening three weeks of the season and is set to remain there for the rest of the year, and Romo 's departure also leaves questions about the financial terms of his exit. The exact severance figure in his agreement is unclear, although the absence of legal action indicates that he received a significant portion of the $72 million that reportedly remained on his contract. “I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,” Romo said through his spokesperson. “I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life–with a desire to win and be the best that I can be. “I’m going to use this time to take a break. Something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity. “I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.” Romo became one of broadcasting's biggest names after retiring from the NFL , quickly earning a reputation for accurately predicting plays and quickly explaining abstract offensive concepts before they unfolded. Whilst his playing career with the Cowboys also made him a familiar figure to millions of fans as he spent 13 seasons with Dallas , becoming the team's starter from 2006 through 2015 and leading the team to four postseason appearances. He finished his career holding numerous franchise passing records, including touchdowns and yards, before eventually being displaced by Dak Prescott after failing to take the final step in the NFL Playoffs .

What do we know about the OWI scandal that led Romo to quit CBS?

Romo 's CBS career changed dramatically after he was arrested following a golf tournament near Milwaukee as body-camera footage showed a poor sobriety test result. CBS removed him from its broadcasts ahead of the season but in September, Romo reached a plea agreement with prosecutors that another OWI-related conviction within the next 10 years would result in a prison sentence. He also agreed to have an ignition interlock device on all of his vehicles, to complete an alcohol assessment program and to accept a six-month driving ban. He was fined more than $700. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining citations as part of the agreement and Romo later addressed the incident publicly and acknowledged his struggles with pain medication and alcohol dependency. “Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life,” Romo said. “I played for more than 20 years, including 14 in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. “After my retirement, CBS gave me the profound honor of staying close to the game through broadcasting. “Playing taught me the power of relationships, the strength of a team, and the toughness to face failure head-on with honesty, resilience, and the determination to do better. “This is one of those moments when I am leaning on everything football taught me. This morning, I faced a recent personal failure by pleading no contest to a civil offense for OWI in Wisconsin. I own this completely.”