Ryan Leaf, who has spoken openly about his own struggles with addiction, has voiced criticism regarding Tony Romo's explanation for his July OWI arrest. Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, had stated in a released apology that his "over-reliance on alcohol" stemmed from pain and dependency issues related to multiple back surgeries during his playing career.
Leaf appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" to discuss Romo's statement. He asserted that Romo should take sole responsibility for his actions, rather than attributing them to physical pain. "It’s a me problem. Football was never the problem; football gave me everything. I had to figure it out," Leaf said, drawing a parallel to his own recovery. "It’s why, with the Tony Romo statement we just saw, I thought it was a very good statement; I didn’t need the part about having ‘debilitating back pain.’ Take that whole paragraph out."
Leaf questioned Romo's claim of debilitating pain, noting that Romo had played golf frequently on a tour after his playing career. "Everybody’s had surgeries. Everybody’s going through debilitating pain," Leaf commented. "I played on a golf tour with him; he was always out there on a golf tour playing. If you’re in such pain, why are you out there playing golf all the time? That’s not helping things."
Romo was arrested in July in Wisconsin after police alleged he was driving under the influence while leaving a golf course and heading to his parents' home. Blood alcohol tests revealed his BAC was .15. He was issued citations for OWI, possessing open intoxicants in a moving vehicle, unsafe passing, and refusing a post-arrest intoxication test.
Through his attorney, Romo recently pleaded no contest to the OWI charge, with the other three citations being dismissed as part of a plea agreement. As part of his sentencing, Romo lost his driving privileges for six months. He stated in his apology that he is committed to taking responsibility and working with doctors to address his health. CBS, where Romo is a broadcaster, has not commented on when he might return to air.