Tony Romo, CBS Sports' top NFL color commentator, has been placed on leave following an OWI arrest on July 23 in Wisconsin. Boomer Esiason, a former NFL MVP and 22-year CBS Sports analyst, stated on his WFAN sports radio show that he believes Romo's time with the network is likely over. "If I had to guess, purely speculation given what's going on right now, I would think it's over," Esiason said.
Esiason, who recently concluded his own long tenure as a CBS Sports in-studio analyst, suggested that Romo might find opportunities elsewhere. "He may end up going somewhere else and getting things straightened out," Esiason added. Romo was sidelined in favor of former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed support for Romo, emphasizing the former quarterback's resilience. "Been talking to him. I love him. I love what he's about. I love his love of sport. He's a very, very unique talent," Jones told Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth. Jones added, "Do you think Tony Romo knows how to get up when he gets knocked down? He's had a life of that. And absolutely, that's one of his greatest attributes is that he can handle adversity. This is something that he will work through."
Jones lauded Romo's unique abilities, both as a player and as a broadcaster. "He is a unique talent. His vision was just mesmerizing when he was a player. But he sees things and can articulate it so instantly," Jones said. "It's made him a great, great portrayer of football games. So obviously I'm a big fan of his, big fan of his family. Let me tell you right now, he's as real as he sounds."
Romo, who played for the Cowboys from 2006 to 2016, earned four Pro Bowl selections and has become a prominent figure in sports media since his retirement. He was an undrafted free agent who rose to NFL stardom.
Romo's arrest occurred after he participated in a golf tournament in Milwaukee. Officers noted an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. The OWI charge carries a fine of $1,066, along with a $235 penalty for a moving violation. Romo is scheduled to appear in court again on September 21.