Romo won't return as NFL analyst, CBS Sports says

Tony Romo will not return as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, the network announced Friday, after he was arrested in July on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

"CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways," the network said in a statement. "We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward."

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested after a traffic stop in Milwaukee on July 23. Court records showed that one of the arresting officers said he detected a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on Romo's breath. Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody and later released.

Romo pleaded no contest Sept. 1 and had his driving privileges revoked for six months. He was also ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle owned, registered or operated by him, attend and complete an alcohol assessment program, and pay a $784 fine.

CBS said J.J. Watt will continue to serve as the network's lead analyst, a role he took when Romo was placed on leave ahead of the season.

Romo said in a statement that he will take time off before considering his future.

"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," Romo said. "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."

Romo, 46, made four Pro Bowl appearances during an NFL career from 2004 to 2016 that was spent entirely with the Cowboys.

Following his no contest plea, Romo said in an Instagram post that the multiple back surgeries that led to his retirement as a player "left me with constant, debilitating pain." He noted that the pain "led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol."

"None of this is an excuse," Romo said. "These are my failures and I take responsibility for them."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.