‘These Are My Failures’ — Tony Romo Breaks Silence on Arrest, Reveals ‘Dependence on Pain Medication’

In Tony Romo's first public comments since his July arrest, the Dallas Cowboys legend and CBS broadcaster revealed that he has been battling addiction.

Romo released a lengthy statement on Tuesday after pleading no contest to a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin. Romo said multiple back surgeries left him in chronic pain, which he says contributed to a dependence on medication and later an unhealthy reliance on alcohol.

Tony Romo Details Struggles With Painkillers, Alcohol

"Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain," Romo said in the statement.

He said that pain led to a "dependence on pain medication" and that while trying to move away from those medications, he developed what he described as an "over-reliance on alcohol."

Romo did not present that history as a defense for what happened on July 23. He said that he takes responsibility for his actions and made clear that his health history was not intended as an excuse.

"None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them. The past month has been difficult," Romo added.

Last week, a spokesperson said that Romo accepted responsibility and was communicating with CBS, but Tuesday was the first time the former quarterback personally explained what has been happening behind the scenes with his health.

PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN's Free NFL Playoff Predictor

Romo said he is working with a team of doctors and focusing on his health and family. He also indicated that he hopes to return to CBS in time, though the network has not announced when, or if, that will happen.

CBS placed Romo on leave July 31, saying he would remain away "until further notice." J.J. Watt has since moved into the network's lead NFL booth alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

CBS Sports president David Berson said on Aug. 11 that there was no timetable for a decision on Romo's future and called the matter an evolving situation. The network has emphasized keeping the focus on its NFL broadcasts rather than on the controversy.

Romo has been CBS' lead NFL game analyst since 2017, immediately following a 14-season NFL playing career spent entirely with Dallas.

This all began on July 23 when a Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy stopped Romo on Interstate 43. Authorities said he was seen passing vehicles in a gore area, and he later performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests.

Deputies arrested Romo on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. An open bottle of alcohol was found on the passenger side of his Jeep during an inventory before the vehicle was towed, according to authorities. Romo was also cited for unsafe passing and refusing an intoxication test after arrest.

Tuesday's statement did not settle what happens next professionally. It did shift the conversation from the circumstances of Romo's arrest toward the health problems and addiction struggles that ultimately led to his leave.