Newly released bodycam footage from Tony Romo’s arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated has divided social media. While some viewers poked fun at the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s unusual warm-up before his field sobriety test, others argued that the footage was no laughing matter and expressed concern for his well-being. Romo has not been convicted of an offense. The 46-year-old former NFL player and current CBS analyst denied consuming alcohol during the traffic stop.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released footage from Romo’s July 23 traffic stop five days after his arrest. The video shows him stretching and attempting to loosen his body before completing field sobriety exercises. That moment quickly became a major talking point online.
“Tony Romo warming up for a field sobriety test is unbelievable,” one person wrote. Another joked, “Romo doing an extensive warm-up to fire his glutes and activate his hips for his Field Sobriety Test proves you always need to be stretching.”
The footage also shows a deputy asking Romo whether he had recently suffered a head injury or concussion. He laughed before responding, “Over the years, yes, but not recently.” One social media user reacted to the exchange by writing, “Tony Romo got asked during his arrest if he’s ever suffered head injuries and bro started having PTSD.”
However, other viewers criticized those making light of the footage, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. “He’s driving drunk; why are people laughing?” one person wrote, although Romo has not been found guilty of driving while intoxicated.
Fans Express Concern For The Former Cowboys Quarterback
Several viewers said they found the footage troubling rather than amusing. “This is sad. He looks really bad. This man needs help,” one commenter shared.
Another offered a lengthy and sympathetic response, writing, “This is sad. Looked like he wanted to cry when she asked that question. He was pretty much saying, ‘Well, that’s why I’m in this situation.’ Whether you love or hate him, that’s a human being that looks like he needs some help. The guy did nothing but QB the Dallas Cowboys.”
A third person added, “Dude needs to get himself help before he kills himself.”
Tony Romo Denied Drinking During The Traffic Stop
4Romo was stopped while driving southbound on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee. According to the deputy seen in the footage, he had made “an unsafe passing to the right, cutting across the gore.”
When asked where he was coming from, Romo explained that he had been at a golf course and was heading to see his grandparents. “The golf course, and I’m going to meet grandma and grandpa,” he said.
The deputy then asked how many drinks he had consumed, and Romo answered, “Zero.” He explained that he had been participating in an amateur golf event.
Romo later attempted to contact an attorney, telling the deputy, “I’m going to call my lawyer … if that’s okay.” When he was repeatedly instructed to leave his vehicle, he asked, “I’m not allowed to call my lawyer?”
He eventually exited the vehicle and was placed in handcuffs. According to authorities, Romo “performed poorly” on the standardized field sobriety tests.
Deputy Said Romo Had ‘Red, Glassy Eyes’
4During the encounter, the deputy told Romo that he had “red, glassy eyes” and that she detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. She also said deputies had discovered “a few shooters” inside his backpack. Romo denied consuming their contents and asked, “Any of them drank?”
When asked to take a preliminary breath test, Romo declined. “Oh no, we’re not doing that. I’ve already heard from all the lawyers, ‘Don’t ever do that,’” he said.
Another officer later informed Romo that authorities would apply for a search warrant to obtain a test following his refusal. “Are you joking?” Romo responded.
The former quarterback was taken into custody, booked at the Milwaukee County Jail and subsequently released. The arrest was for a suspected first-offense OWI, which is generally handled as a civil rather than criminal matter under Wisconsin law.
Tony Romo Is Scheduled To Appear In Court
4Romo is scheduled to appear in court on September 21 in connection with the traffic stop and his reported refusal to submit to chemical testing. The former athlete spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 2017 and moving into broadcasting. He currently serves as CBS Sports’ lead NFL game analyst.
Neither Romo nor CBS Sports had publicly issued a detailed response to the footage.
