So, preliminary breath test. >> It does not determine the results of >> I'm going to stop We're not doing that. Never heard of both words. Don't ever do that. >> Look at the stimulus and follow the movement of the stimulus with your eyes only. >> All right. >> Keep looking at the stimulus until the test is over. >> Do you understand? The stimulus, top of my pen, right over here, okay? >> Yep. >> Do you understand? >> I I got you. >> Okay. Can you maintain the position? >> Yep. Perfect. Let's go. >> I'm going to make a couple of passes, okay? Top of my pen here. >> am I doing? Did I pass this test? >> Turn off. >> No, I didn't know that. Can I use my phone real quick because there's a plane taking off and my parents are there? >> A deputy pulls over an SUV after it cuts across a marked section of highway, but the man behind the wheel is no ordinary driver. It's former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on his way to visit his grandparents. What should have been a routine traffic stop quickly spirals into a confusing series of sobriety tests, mixed signals, and one increasingly frustrated NFL legend who really wants to call his lawyer. >> All right. Reason for my stop today? Yep. Yep. Reason for my stop today is the unsafe passing on the right, the lane deviation. >> Say it louder. I'm sorry. >> Unsafe passing on the right, cutting across the gore. Obviously, the gore. >> Yes. >> The marked area. >> Got you. >> Where are you coming from? >> Well, I live in Dallas, so I came here to visit my grandparents, so we're here on I did that, but I got the gore. >> You got the what? >> The gore, you said. >> Yeah. >> That's what it is for you guys, isn't it? >> Yep. >> Yes. I got what you're saying. You're saying it's >> And you were coming from grandma and grandpa? What did you say? It's really hard to hear you, dude. >> I I can't hear you, either. >> Yeah, I know. We got to basically yell at each other, right? >> I feel like I'm yelling at you. >> Okay. All right. Where are you coming from? >> The golf course. >> Highway noise, rush hour traffic, both of them basically shouting the entire stop. It makes for a genuinely funny back and forth before anything about drinking even comes up. >> And I'm going to meet grandma and grandpa. >> Okay. All right. I'll take a driver's license from you. >> You got it. What's your name? >> Deputy Gore. >> So I want to meet grandma and grandpa and I passed the Gore, which is the place you're talking about that I drove over. I got it. >> All right. How many drinks have you had? >> That's all. >> You're coming from a golf course? >> I played in a golf tournament in Scottsdale today, actually. >> Okay. >> So it's like a USGA >> Okay. All right. I'm going to run you through some field tests. >> What's that? >> Field sobriety tests. Are you willing to take any >> I'm not allowed to talk to my lawyer until I talk to >> I'm sorry? >> I'm not talking to you. You're not talking >> Yeah, you're denying to step out of the vehicle. >> And just like that, the traffic stop reaches its turning point, the moment Romo hears the words sobriety tests. His first instinct isn't to ask what's going on, it's to ask for a lawyer. That single request quickly becomes the theme of the entire encounter and shapes nearly every conversation that follows. >> Okay, step out of the vehicle. No, step out of the vehicle. Step out of the vehicle. >> So you're going to take me to >> Field sobriety tests. >> So I'm not allowed to call my lawyer, right? >> You're not. >> I'm not allowed to >> No, step out of the vehicle. I'm taking an additional 10-17. He's not stepping out of the vehicle for field >> I'll I'll do it. I'm just saying that I'm not allowed to call my lawyer. >> Whatever legal theory he's relying on about needing to speak with a lawyer before doing anything else, it doesn't really work the way he thinks it does. >> He's out of the vehicle. I'll be conveying him to the Valley court for field >> I'm fine. It's fine. >> Turn around for me. Patty, you don't have a weapon, okay? Any weapons on you? Okay. All right. You're detained pending an OWI investigation. Deputy Ford, sir. >> Are you going to take me through the car? Are you going to take me through the >> So, as of right now, we're on a level ground. We're on a bridge. I want to convey you somewhere that's going to be a even surface, free of debris. >> Yes, I agree. So, we don't get hit. >> Turn around for me. >> I can't move. >> You're detained pending an OWI investigation. I patted you down for any weapons. I would normally seat you on the passenger side due to it being so close to the concrete barrier. We're going to go in the traffic very carefully in the district. Yep. >> Even the logistics are unusual. A highway bridge isn't exactly a safe spot for field sobriety tests. So, before anything else happens, the deputy has to figure out how to safely move a 6-ft plus former NFL quarterback off a live traffic lane. >> You went all the way? >> What's that? >> You went all the way? >> Um I'm in, yes. Uncomfortably, but yes. Um >> I know you're a taller fellow. >> Yeah. >> The uh red glassy eyes and then the odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage from your breath. >> And all the guys >> Okay. Um and then when my partner brought the backpack that you wanted uh we basically do not an inventory, but I make sure that there's no guns in there. Exactly. And there were a few shooters in there that I observed. >> Yeah. Any of them drink? >> Okay. So >> of them were drinking, right? >> Okay. So, based off of that, I'm going to run you through some field >> Yeah. >> SFSTs. >> Let's do it. I'm good. >> Okay. All right. >> And here's the detail that made headlines almost everywhere this arrest was reported. Inside the backpack are several mini liquor bottles sitting next to someone confidently insisting he'd had absolutely nothing to drink. Whether or not there's an explanation, it's one of those moments that immediately raises more questions than answers. >> Two back surgeries, I need to stand still. >> So, has he been searched or like patted down to check for weapons or something? Okay. Okay. >> She's good. >> She's been urgent. I got to find a sanitary disposal. >> All right. >> [clears throat] >> All right. Just stand in the middle for me, please. Yep. And you're just going to turn around. You're going to have hands facing me. Feet together? >> Yep. >> And just when the sobriety investigation seems complicated enough, Romo introduces another variable, multiple back surgeries. From here, even the simplest instruction is about to turn into a negotiation. >> Please stand with your feet together and your hands down at your side. Do not do anything until I tell you. Do you understand? >> You got shoes on? >> What do you prefer? >> Whatever you want. >> All right. >> I'm going to have to take them off. >> I'm going to check your eyes. Please keep your head still during the test. >> Okay. >> Look at the stimulus and follow the movement of the stimulus with your eyes only. >> All right. >> Keep looking at the stimulus until the test is over. >> What's the stimulus? >> Do you understand? Stimulus, top of my pen right over here, okay? >> Yep. >> Do you understand? >> I I got you. >> Okay. Can you maintain the position? >> Yep. So, what am I doing? Just tell me. Am I looking at it or >> You're going to look at the top of my pen. >> Stimulus, okay? >> So, my eyes are going with it. Got it. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Make a couple passes, okay? >> Okay, so I'm following this as you move it. Am I supposed to move my head or am I supposed to keep it square? >> Would you like the instructions one more time, sir? >> I I got you. >> Okay. >> I'm just trying to do it right. I'm sorry. >> It's okay. So, it's the top of my pen. >> Yeah, I'm still staring at it. >> Don't move your head. Eyes and eyes only, okay? >> You're watching a former NFL >> starting quarterback fail his own eye test and you're not subscribed yet? Hit that subscribe button because it only gets better from here. >> Next up is the walk and >> Okay. >> The next step is going to be the walk and turn instructions, so >> Okay. Yep. Sounds good. >> Place your left foot on the line, real or imaginary. So, you're going to picture a straight line in front of you. >> Okay. You You can remind me about the line. >> Oh, sorry. Start over. Walk and turn instructions. You're going to picture a straight line in front of you. >> Okay. >> Place your left foot on the line, real or imaginary. So, take your left foot and put it on that line. Place your right foot on the line in front of your left foot. >> Okay. >> Put the heel of your right foot against the toe of your left foot. >> Too short. >> Exactly like that. You got it? Exactly how I'm doing it? >> Yeah. >> Place your arms down at the side. >> What am I doing after that? >> Maintain this position until I complete the instructions. >> Okay. >> Just as he did with the first test, Romo asks for the full instructions to be repeated more than once before taking a single step. Whether he's genuinely confused or simply being extremely cautious, what should be a straightforward set of directions is becoming a process all its own. >> I'm going to demonstrate by doing three steps. >> Okay. >> Okay. When you turn, keep your front foot on the line and turn by taking a series of small steps with the other foot. Once you start walking, do not stop until you have completed the test. Do you understand the instructions? >> No, I don't. There's too many. We got to go step by step. >> Okay. Turn and take nine heel-to-toe steps. >> What does that mean by heel-to-toe? >> I will demonstrate for you, okay? >> Go. >> When you turn, keep the front lead foot on the line >> Sorry, one second. >> and turn by taking a series of small steps with the other foot. I'm sorry. >> Sorry, my bad. You go ahead. Keep going. >> You're going to use a series of small steps. >> Okay. >> 1 2 3 >> Yep. So, three one way and then three the other way. >> I'm going to demonstrate with three. You will do nine, okay? >> Okay, sounds good. >> Okay. >> Just sitting there. Sorry guys, two back and three. That's all. >> Two three >> put it in put it in front. Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry, my bad. You go ahead. Keep going. >> Okay. >> So, you want me to turn around and go back toward the car? >> E- So, you're going to take nine heel-to-toe steps on that line? >> Like nine that way or just three and then >> You're going to take nine heel-to-toe steps >> Okay. >> back along that same line keeping your front foot lead foot forward. >> At this point, the deputy has explained these instructions so many times she could probably recite them in her sleep. And honestly, after watching this exchange, we probably could, too. It's becoming clear that nearly every part of this investigation is going to take a little longer than expected. >> I can start over with the instructions if you'd like. >> Just six steps, right? >> Nine steps. >> Nine steps total. >> Nine steps. >> You want to stay here or turn back? Correct? >> Nine heel-to-toe steps? >> Correct. >> If this wasn't frustrating enough for the officers, deciding which foot to raise somehow turns into its own small negotiation. >> And then you just tell me which foot you want to raise. >> Okay. >> I think I'm going to raise my right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Actually, I think I'm going >> Don't fall over. >> Left, obviously. Maybe the right. That part I'm real good at. I'll go with the left. She's got that video. That's all. So we're good. Ah, I know that was easy. >> You're not taking this seriously. >> By the way, I do this consistently every day, but did I pass this test? >> Turn around. >> No, I didn't fall. Can I use my phone real quick because there's a plane taking off and my parents are there? Can I call real quick >> We'll get to that. >> after that? >> We'll get to that. >> I know, but I'm saying they're literally waiting there with my son to go to leave. >> Do you need two cuffs, sir, or are you okay with one? >> one. >> Okay. >> Like two with the back. >> Yeah, so it gives you a little more armor. >> Can I seriously call the parents real quick and just tell them something? >> We've got some other stuff we got to get through first, and then we'll We understand you got a child. I understand who you are. >> He's on a plane. >> I got you. And I understand who you are. We're going to try to make >> Yeah. >> I got you. We're going We're going to get We'll get you through this, okay? >> That's a small line worth catching. I understand who you are. Even the deputy acknowledges this isn't a routine stop for either of them, but recognition doesn't change the process. >> I'm going to search you one more time, okay? >> Yeah. >> Anything else on you? >> Yeah. No, there's no >> Nothing else on you? >> Okay. >> Nothing that's going to poke me, harm me, stick me, or anything like that? >> I think you're good. >> Okay. But once we get through all of that, and the first moment that we can get you a phone call, we'll get you through this. >> know this part of it, though. I'm going to go ahead and say I want a lawyer. So we're going to do that. Right. >> [clears throat] >> This is where the conversation about a lawyer starts to shift. Earlier, it was about trying to delay or understand the sobriety tests. Now it's becoming much more focused on what happens next as the investigation moves closer to an actual arrest. >> To to stretch, but then I got I'm going to have to No, I got to have you sit in the back of that car. >> Come on, seriously? >> I understand. I understand. We I Mr. Romo >> I'm I'm going in there. I have to >> have to have you sit down. >> I'm going in there. >> Mr. Romo >> I'm going in there. I promise you, but I'm telling you also >> Mr. Romo >> I wouldn't think I I think you understand. >> Like you literally can't stand up. >> I I trust you I understand. >> I don't think you have >> Mr. Romo, I understand. But >> I'm going in there. I'm going in there. >> the car now, okay? Okay, I need you to sit down, please. >> trying to make sure that I hold the rights one. >> Okay. >> Once you actually get there, you you you know it's about you'll get it. >> Do you need help getting your other foot in? >> One sec. >> One sec. >> Getting a 6-ft plus quarterback with two back surgeries into a squad car is apparently its own event, complete with golf swing jokes. The man is being detained for an OWI investigation, and he's out here talking mechanics. >> The officer is informing me of the accused. Under Wisconsin implied consent law, I'm required to read this notice to you. You have either been arrested for an offense that involved driving or operating a motor vehicle after using alcohol or drugs or both. Or you are suspected of driving or being at any time with respect to a commercial motor vehicle or after using alcohol or drugs or both. If any test shows more alcohol in your system than the law permits while driving or detectable amounts of a controlled substance, your operating privilege will be suspended. If you refuse any request to test, your operating privilege will be revoked, and you will be subject to other penalties. If you take all the requested test, you may also choose to take the alternative test that this law enforcement agency provides free of charge. >> that? >> You may also >> What's the alternative? >> You may also have a test conducted by a qualified person of your choice at your expense. You, however, >> I'll do that. will have to make your own arrangements for that test. If you have a commercial driver's license or were operating a commercial motor vehicle, other consequences may result. >> Did you catch his reaction when he learned he could pay for his own independent breathalyzer test? Was that just relief at having another option? Or did he hear the word independent and see a way money might work in his favor? Drop your take in the comments. >> If you refuse a field sobriety test, Okay. Uh so let me just swing back in here, kind of explain what the next steps are from here, okay? >> All right. >> So since you refused, which it which is totally your right to do, okay? We we have to So what we're going to do is now is we got to apply for a search warrant and have a judge sign off on it, okay? So we're going to get a test on you. No, sir, that's that's that's >> Can I call my personal lawyer? >> So and then once that's once that blood draw is complete, then we can look at getting your phone call, okay? >> call my parents just to tell them that >> Well, well, we will we will get to that, okay? All right. I'm going to I'm going to buckle you up, okay? >> Say no to the breathalyzer and here's your consolation prize: a judge, a search warrant, and a needle. >> There is two of them. >> Depends on >> Do it at the sub. You'll be booked and released from there. Um if he refuses, uh he'll be a uh blood draw warrant and then here. That's the game plan. I do have a blood kit with me. I have all the paperwork paper copies. I don't know if you're a tracks person to do it off of tracks or if you >> Paper copies? >> paper copies Okay. And then and then after that, I will round you But the sub keeps asking for a lawyer. All right. So I told him that we have to get through the procedure or some something so he knows you're going to sign paperwork for >> Even while the officers are off camera discussing paperwork and figuring out the next steps, one topic keeps coming up over and over again, Romo's lawyer. By this point, Romo has mentioned wanting a lawyer so many times that it's become a defining theme of the entire encounter. >> Will you submit to an evidentiary chemical test of your breath? >> No. Like I said, I want my lawyer. >> Okay. >> For the eighth time. Okay. >> So, since we're interfering which is which is totally your right to do. >> Okay. >> We we have to So, what we're going to do is now is we got to apply for a search warrant, have a judge sign off on it, okay? So, we're going to get it tested. >> No, I'll submit to that. That's That's >> Is that possible to do? >> In the end, the officer issued Tony Romo three citations: operating while intoxicated as a first offense, unsafe passing in a marked gore area, and possessing an open container of alcohol. Under Wisconsin law, a first-time OWI is generally treated as a civil traffic offense rather than a criminal charge, although it can still carry significant penalties if the allegations are proven. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 21st, 2026. Despite the serious allegations, the legal process is still ongoing and the court will ultimately determine the outcome. If you want more real body cam arrests like this one, every excuse, every test caught on camera, hit subscribe because this channel posts a new case every single week.