Newly released police body cam footage is giving new insight into the moments before, during and immediately after retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.
“Is it possible to call my parents just to tell them that I’m not dead?” a handcuffed Romo, 46, is heard asking a law enforcement officer in footage obtained by Us on Tuesday, July 28. The former NFL star was arrested on Thursday, July 23, on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence after playing in a golf tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In the video, Romo can be seen refusing a preliminary breath test for intoxication, telling another police officer, “No. Like I said, I want my lawyer. For the eighth time.”
Us has reached out to Romo’s attorney for comment.
The body cam footage also shows the athlete undergoing three field sobriety tests, which required Romo to maintain eye contact with the top of a pen as it moves side-to-side, walking in a straight line and balancing on a raised foot. Throughout the tests, which took approximately 14 minutes in total to complete, Romo repeatedly asked for clarification over instructions and in many instances complained about his previous back surgeries.
“Did I pass this test?” Romo asks a police officer once all testing has concluded. “No, I didn’t, huh? Can I use my phone real quick because there’s a plane taking off and my parents are there?”
The officer seen conducting Romo’s sobriety tests then announces that the CBS Sports color commentator is being formally arrested, to which Romo again requests to phone his parents, who are waiting “with my son.” (Romo shares three sons with his wife, Candice Crawford: Hawkins, 14, Rivers, 12, and Jones, 8.)
The footage of Romo’s arrest comes after Us reported earlier on Tuesday that Romo was issued a citation for “refusing to take [a] test for intoxication after arrest,” per court records.
Romo was pulled over by law enforcement officers on a highway bridge at around 8 p.m. after taking part in the 2026 Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament. Us’ footage captured the moment he was asked to “step out of the vehicle” to conduct his field sobriety tests, a request he initially attempted to interject by reaching for his phone to contact a lawyer.
The footage then showed police communicating Romo’s refusal to exit the vehicle to other officers via radio — at one point the officer even requests backup — which then leads to Romo declaring that he will “do it” before stepping onto the side of the highway. Romo is then seen patted down “for weapons” before he is handcuffed and escorted via police vehicle to level ground for his field sobriety tests.
A court date has been set for September 21.
Since retiring from the NFL in 2016 after 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Romo has worked as an announcer for CBS Sports.
CBS Sports has not responded to Us’ inquiries about his future at the network following his arrest.
