Steelers tell LB Anthony Chickillo to stay home following arrest
The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to practice on Monday morning, but linebacker Anthony Chickillo was not on the field with his teammates after being told to stay home following a weekend arrest.
Steelers OLB Anthony Chickillo has been instructed to not report to the team's practice facility today because of his arrest over the weekend at Nemacolin Woodlands resort, per Steelers spokesman @SteelersPRBurt Burt Lauten.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) October 21, 2019
Chickillo was reportedly arrested at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort after an argument with his girlfriend Alysha Newman turned physical. She claims the NFL linebacker grabbed her by her arms and pinned her against a wall, at which time she fought back, striking Chickillo in the head.
As the story goes, Chickillo then threw Newman to the ground and destroyed her cellphone so that she could not call for help. Responding police saw the injuries on her body and were unable to observe any on Chickillo, which led to him being arrested and charged with simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief.
Newman was cited for harassment.
Chickillo was arraigned and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
“We are aware of an incident involving Anthony Chickillo last night and are still gathering information. Until we have further details we will not provide any further comments,” the Steelers said in their first public statement on the matter.
The NFL takes matters of domestic violence very seriously, so it’s likely that Chickillo will be placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list as the league investigates the arrest and claim.