Tony Romo admits 'over-reliance on alcohol,' pleaded no contest to OWI

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current broadcaster for the NFL on CBS was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated on July 23 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Court records show that he is facing three charges stemming from that arrest : unsafe passing on the right, possessing open intoxicants and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).

On Sept. 1, Romo announced that he pleaded no contest to a civil offense and explained that he is owning his mistakes in a statement posted to his Instagram .

Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life. 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. Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol. As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility. That is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward. That path requires honesty. None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them. The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public. I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know. As I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period. God bless.

Football has shaped nearly every meaningful part of my life. 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.

Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.

As I have taught my three young sons: when you fall short, you stand up and take full responsibility. That is an important first step. The harder and more important step is examining the path that brought you here and making the changes necessary to move forward.

None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take responsibility for them.

The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully—to the Lord, to myself, to my family, and now to the public.

I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my friends, and the NFL community including players, coaches, and owners. Your encouragement has meant more to me than you know.

As I turn my attention to my health, my family, and, in time, my return to CBS, I kindly ask for privacy during this period.

Court records show that Romo's plea of no contest resulted in his driving privileges being revoked for six months. He will also have to complete the "Alcohol Assessment Program," while paying a total of $834 in fines.

If he fails to pay, his license suspension can be extended for up to one year.

Romo is also required to have an "ignition interlock device" installed on any vehicles that is owned, operated or registered in his name.

That will remain the case for a minimum of one year after his license is reissued.

Romo was placed on leave by CBS on July 31 , opening up his seat in the network's top broadcast booth. J.J. Watt is set to take that spot alongside play-by-play voice Jim Nantz until further notice.

Romo faces three charges following his July arrest. They are:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI)

According to the officer, Romo was pulled over for "unsafe passing on the right," and "cutting across the gore."

He was stopped going southbound on I-43 and "performed poorly on SFSTs (standard field sobriety tests)."