Tony Romo Pursues Golf Career Amid CBS Ban Following OWI Plea Deal

Tony Romo was seen competing in a professional golf event in Oklahoma on Wednesday, marking his first public appearance since accepting a plea deal for an operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge in Wisconsin. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is currently on an indefinite leave of absence from his broadcasting role with CBS.

Romo participated in a pre-qualifying event for the Korn Ferry Tour's Q-School, aiming to advance on the professional golf circuit. Video shared by News on 6 showed Romo on the green, preparing to putt. He shot a four-over-par 76 in the first round, placing him tied for 48th and nine shots behind the leader with two rounds remaining.

This is not Romo's first foray into professional golf. He has previously attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur. He has also competed in Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour events, including the AT&T Byron Nelson, and has made multiple prior attempts at the PGA Tour's Q-School pre-qualifying.

The OWI arrest occurred in Milwaukee on July 23, just hours after Romo was believed to have played in the final round of the Wisconsin Amateur Championship. Humiliating bodycam footage of him failing sobriety tests went viral shortly after his arrest. His absence from the broadcast booth began ahead of the NFL season, with JJ Watt stepping in as his temporary replacement alongside Jim Nantz.

As part of his plea deal, Romo will face a mandatory jail sentence if convicted of another OWI-related offense within the next 10 years. He has also been fined over $700, had his driver's license revoked for six months, and agreed to have an ignition interlock device installed on all his vehicles. He also committed to completing an alcohol assessment program.

Prosecutors agreed to drop other citations, including unsafe passing and possession of open intoxicants, in exchange for Romo's plea to the first-offense OWI charge. Romo, who earns $18 million annually with CBS, released a statement acknowledging his personal failure and accountability. He stated that he was leaning on lessons learned from football, emphasizing honesty, resilience, and the determination to improve.

CBS initially planned for Romo to miss only the first week of the NFL season. However, the network later confirmed his continued absence for subsequent weeks, leaving his return to broadcasting uncertain.