Tony Romo received open container citation following Wisconsin arrest: Authorities

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office released video of the arrest this week.

July 29, 2026, 6:15 PM

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo received a citation for possessing an open container in a moving vehicle in connection with his arrest in Wisconsin last week.

Romo was arrested near the Marquette Interchange in downtown Milwaukee on July 23 on suspicion of operating while under the influence, according to an arrest-detention report from the sheriff's office.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office released body camera footage of Romo's arrest and sobriety test earlier on Wednesday.

Romo was issued three citations in connection with the incident -- operating while under the influence, unsafe passing, and possession of an open container in a moving vehicle -- which were obtained by ABC News on Wednesday, pursuant to a public records request.

According to the open container citation, a deputy said they observed an "open bottle of an alcoholic beverage ... on the passenger side of the vehicle" during an inventory of the vehicle conducted after the vehicle was towed.

Romo has not been formally charged. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21 at 8:30 a.m., according to the arrest-detention report.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office released body camera footage of the traffic stop on Wednesday. In it, a deputy appears to pull Romo over in his vehicle on the interstate and walks over to him, telling him he is being stopped for "unsafe passing" and lane deviation.

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released the full body camera video of the arrest and sobriety test of former Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office

When asked where he is coming from, Romo tells the deputy that he is coming back from a golf course. 

Later in the video, after the deputy tells Romo they want to run some field sobriety tests because he appears to be operating the vehicle while intoxicated, Romo says he is going to call his lawyer, which he insists on doing several times as the deputy continues to ask him to step out of the vehicle.

In the footage, after Romo finally steps out of his vehicle, he tells the deputy, "Because I'm coming from a golf course, you think I'm drunk?"

The deputy then handcuffs Romo, telling him that she has to detain him and conduct the tests elsewhere since they are stopped on a bridge. 

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released the full body camera video of the arrest and sobriety test of former Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office

Later in the video, Romo is seen inside the sally port of the county jail, where he steps out of the deputy's vehicle and is told he was stopped because of where he was coming from, his "red glassy eyes," and because authorities said they noticed an odor of alcohol.

The deputy also tells Romo that after a search of his vehicle, they found a few "shooters." 

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released the full body camera video of the arrest and sobriety test of former Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office

Romo agrees to do a sobriety test and does a few brief stretches before the deputy begins walking him through the test, which appears to show him struggling to understand instructions and maintain his balance.

When asked if he will submit to a preliminary breath test, Romo replies, "We're not doing that. I've heard from all the lawyers, 'Don't ever do that.'"

Romo also refuses to do a blood test and asks again for his lawyer. 

After Romo asks if he has passed the sobriety test, the deputy tells him to turn around and informs him that he is being placed under arrest for operating while under the influence. 

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office released the full body camera video of the arrest and sobriety test of former Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office

According to the arrest report, Romo was taken into custody and booked before being released around 11 p.m. CT.

ABC News has reached out to CBS and a representative for Romo for comment.

Romo, a four-time Pro Bowler, was first signed to the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and ended up spending the entirety of his 13-season NFL career with the team. He was named starting quarterback for the Cowboys in 2006.

He retired after the 2016 season.

In April 2017, Romo joined CBS Sports as the lead game analyst for "NFL on CBS" alongside announcers Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola