What initially appeared to be a routine traffic stop involving former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo has taken a dramatic new turn, as newly released police records reveal a detail that wasn’t immediately known when news of his OWI arrest first broke. While Romo repeatedly denied consuming alcohol during the encounter, investigators say something found inside his vehicle has now become one of the most talked-about aspects of the case.

According to law enforcement documents obtained after the arrest, deputies discovered an open bottle of alcohol inside Romo’s Jeep during an inventory search before the vehicle was towed. The bottle was reportedly sitting on the passenger side of the SUV, leading officers to issue an additional citation for possessing an open intoxicant inside the vehicle—an allegation that adds another layer of scrutiny to an already high-profile investigation.

The incident unfolded on the evening of July 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when deputies stopped Romo after allegedly observing unsafe driving behavior, including traveling in a distress lane while passing traffic. Officers later reported that the former NFL star showed signs of impairment during standardized field sobriety tests, though Romo maintained throughout the stop that he had consumed “zero” alcoholic drinks and insisted he was simply on his way to visit his grandparents after spending time at a golf course.

Body camera footage released in the days following the arrest captured Romo remaining calm and cooperative while questioning why he had been pulled over. When asked to submit to a preliminary breath test, however, the longtime CBS broadcaster declined, explaining that he had previously been advised by an attorney never to take one. His refusal ultimately prompted authorities to seek a warrant for chemical testing, a move that further intensified public attention surrounding the case.

The newly disclosed inventory report may now become one of the most closely examined pieces of evidence. Although Romo reportedly acknowledged having small bottles of alcohol—often referred to as “shooters”—inside his backpack, the discovery of what deputies described as an open container in the passenger area has shifted much of the public conversation. Whether that evidence ultimately plays a significant role in the legal proceedings remains unclear, but it has fueled fresh speculation as Romo prepares for his scheduled court appearance in September.

For Romo, whose post-playing career has transformed him into one of the highest-profile voices in NFL broadcasting, the timing could hardly be worse. The four-time Pro Bowler has spent nearly a decade building a successful second act in television, becoming the face of CBS’s lead NFL broadcast team after retiring from football in 2017. Now, that reputation faces its most serious public challenge, even as Wisconsin law generally treats a first-offense OWI as a civil—not criminal—matter.

Neither Romo nor CBS Sports has publicly addressed the latest revelations surrounding the inventory search. But as additional documents and bodycam footage continue to emerge, attention has shifted away from the initial arrest itself and toward one lingering question: will the evidence inside the vehicle tell a different story than the one Romo told deputies that night?