By RUSS WEAKLAND, US SENIOR SHOWBIZ REPORTER and RICH JONES, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
Tony Romo is confident he will get a ‘second chance’ after leaving CBS Sports – but he might not choose to take it.
Romo has stepped away from his role vowing to ‘focus on my health and my family’ after he accepted a plea deal having been arrested for OWI in Milwaukee on July 23.
He blamed a ‘dependance on pain medication’ after multiple back surgeries left him with ‘constant, debilitating pain’ and said ‘my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol.’
The 46-year-old was placed on leave indefinitely by CBS, who promoted No.2 analyst JJ Watt into Romo’s role alongside Jim Nantz for the start of the new NFL season.
Romo has now stepped away from his $18million-a-year contract and left the network, sparking questions over his next move.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback moved into the broadcast boost in 2017 after he retired from playing but now sees his current plight as a ‘wakeup call’ as he plots his next move.
Tony Romo has quit CBS Sports with the two parties agreeing to part ways from his big deal
Romo was arrested for OWI in Milwaukee in July and later accepted a plea deal
A source close to Romo and CBS Sports told the Daily Mail: ‘Tony has accepted it, though not the ideal scenario; he sees it as a wakeup call and a reason to get better. It is what needs to be done. To get healthy is now his mission.
‘He believes he will eventually get a second chance if he wants it, but he could also ride off into the sunset because he has enough money to not have to do anything ever again.
‘He’s going to miss it, because he misses playing and commentating was his outlet, so now he just has to figure out what is next after he gets himself physically better.’
Romo was a massive hit when he first entered the booth but his popularity dwindled among viewers in recent years in the lead up to his arrest.
He signed a 10-year, $180 million contract with CBS in 2020 but the network could now look to ‘spread money around’ after deciding to ‘set a precedent’ by parting ways.
The source continued: ‘It just became too difficult to reason keeping Tony on as a commentator, because if they brought him back, which many wanted to happen, it would have left a bad taste in other’s mouths if it looked like they were giving him preferential treatment.
‘By parting ways, CBS has set a precedent, that you have to do the right thing. If you mess up, you’re out.
‘CBS sees it as everyone’s replaceable and now they can spread money around for others. They looked at the season so far, and their ratings are fine; it didn’t hurt them one bit, letting him go.’
Romo was playing in a golf tournament when news broke that he was leaving the network
JJ Watt has taken Romo’s role alongside Jim Nantz in the No.1 NFL booth for CBS Sports
The network confirmed former Houston Texans defensive end Watt will continue alongside Nantz moving forwards. The news broke shortly after Romo had teed off in the third and final round of a Q-school golf tournament at the Club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Romo told The Daily Mail through a spokesperson on Friday: ‘I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years. I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life – with a desire to win and be the best that I can be.
‘I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity.
‘I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.’
