Ryan Leaf has an issue with Tony Romo using his “debilitating” back pain as an excuse for drinking too much and getting an OWI.
Romo addressed his arrest in a statement this week. In it, he took “full responsibility” for his decisions. He did, however, also say that the “multiple back surgeries” which ended his career earlier left him with “constant, debilitating pain.” That, in turn, “led to a dependence on pain medication,” which then led to “an over-reliance on alcohol” as he tried to wean himself off the medications by drinking.
Tony Romo added in his statement, after first explaining why he drank too much, “None of this is an excuse.”
Ryan Leaf, who has had his own well-publicized struggles with addiction, spent a good part of the years between 2009 and 2020 in and out of jail. So, he understands the mentality of someone who is dependent on drugs or alcohol.
Ryan Leaf wished Tony Romo had owned his problem more than he did
Which is why, during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday morning, Leaf explained why he has a few issues with Tony Romo’s statement.
“I used to think football was the problem. No, it’s a me problem. Football was never the problem. Football gave me everything. I had to figure it out,” Leaf told Dan Patrick. “It’s why, with the Tony Romo statement we just saw, I thought it was a very good statement.
“I didn’t need the part about having ‘debilitating back pain.’ Take that whole paragraph out. You don’t need any of that. You chose to do this, and it’s cost you this, and you’re going to admit to it, and you’re going to find a way to get better. It’s almost like the saying when you say something, ‘but.’ Everything after the ‘but’ is meaningless to me.
“And I was reading it with my wife yesterday,” Leaf continued. “And I was just like, ‘Oh no.’ You don’t have to say that part. Everybody’s had surgeries. Everybody’s going through debilitating pain. I played on a golf tour with him. He was always out there on a golf tour playing. If you’re in such pain, why the hell are you out there playing golf all the time? That’s not helping things.”