MILWAUKEE — Body camera footage has been released showing former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's arrest last Thursday in downtown Milwaukee on suspicion of operating while under the influence.
The footage, obtained by TMJ4, provides new details about the traffic stop and field sobriety tests that led to Romo's arrest:
Traffic Stop
A Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputy pulled Romo over at the Marquette interchange shortly after 6 p.m. during rush hour traffic for "unsafe passing on the right, cutting across the gore" — the marked area between highway lanes.
Body camera audio reveals both Romo and the deputy had difficulty hearing each other during the initial contact, with the deputy saying they would have to "basically yell at each other."
When asked where he was coming from, Romo told the deputy he had just left a golf course where he was playing in a "USGA tournament" and was heading to meet his grandparents.
He told the deputy he had nothing to drink and immediately called his lawyer. When he stepped out of the vehicle, he placed his cell phone on the back of his Jeep to record the traffic stop.
Field sobriety tests
Romo was taken to the Milwaukee County Jail Sally Port for field sobriety tests. The body camera footage shows Romo repeatedly asking for his attorney.
During the eye-tracking test, Romo had difficulty following instructions, asking multiple times for clarification and moving his head when told to keep it still.
For the walk-and-turn test, Romo told the deputy "There's too many [instructions]. We got to go step by step." He mentioned having previous back surgeries that affected his ability to perform the tests.
Multiple refusals
The footage confirms Romo refused multiple tests throughout the process, including the preliminary breathalyzer test, telling the deputy "I've already heard from all the lawyers. Don't ever do that."
When read his rights under Wisconsin's implied consent law, Romo refused the evidentiary breath test, saying "Like I said, I want my lawyer for the eighth time."
After Romo's refusals, the deputy explained a search warrant would be obtained for a mandatory blood draw.
Romo was given a traffic ticket Monday for refusing to take a test for intoxication after an arrest. A search warrant was filed for a blood draw to test his blood alcohol content.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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