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ESPN shocked football fans on Monday night as Tony Romo made a surprise return to television months after his OWI arrest and eventual departure from CBS Sports.
The former Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports analyst appeared on the “Monday Night Football” alt-cast hosted by Pat McAfee in what appeared to be an unannounced move. It marked the first media appearance by Romo since his July 23 operating while intoxicated arrest in Wisconsin that led to the ex-football player and network parting ways in October.
Romo appeared remotely early in the second quarter as McAfee introduced him as the “quarterback expert.”
“I’m doing good and I’m sorry Dan [Orlovsky] that they gave me the quarterback specialist here, but you know that I think you’re a great quarterback guru. You know that,” Romo said after he was introduced on air.
At one point, McAfee called Romo “the man” and said that “hopefully we get to catch up with you soon, you’re the best. We all miss you.”
Romo has not made a public appearance since the July incident that triggered the end of his time at CBS.
The NFL analyst was leaving a round of golf when he was arrested and issued four citations, which included OWI, possessing open intoxicants in a moving vehicle, unsafe passing on the right and refusing to take a test for intoxication after arrest.
CBS placed Romo on indefinite leave after body cam footage of his field sobriety test was released, and he eventually pleaded no contest to the OWI charge in September.
Romo and CBS parted ways on Oct. 2, with the broadcasster saying that he was taking a break to focus on his health and family,
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,” Romo said in a statement. “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.”
Romo began with CBS in 2017, working alongside Jim Nantz on their top team for nine seasons.
He left with four years and $72 million left on his 10-year, $180 million contract, which the two sides settled. J.J. Watt took over Romo’s role at CBS.
