Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo was arrested by Uniontown Pennsylvania State Police in Fayette County on simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment charges allegedly involving his girlfriend.
Multiple sources confirmed to our partners at WPXI the incident took place at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and stemmed from a "domestic situation." Chickillo told police he and his girlfriend, Alysha Newman, a world-class Canadian pole vaulter who attended the University of Miami with Chickillo, engaged in a verbal argument at Lady Luck Casino. That argument continued to their hotel room, where it became physical.
Chickillo said Newman hit him in the head with her fist, then he pushed her to the ground. Newman said Chickillo grabbed her by her biceps and forced her against both a wall and the door of the hotel room, which caused visible injuries to her left and right biceps, per police. After that, Newman said she punched Chickillo in the head before he threw her to the ground, damaging her cell phone.
Newman was also cited for harassment after the incident.
Per court documents, Chickillo has been released on $10,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing has been set for Oct. 30.
The Steelers' director of communications, Burt Lauten, offered the following statement on the matter:
Statement from @Steelers Burt Lauten:
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.#Steelers
— The Final Word (@WPXIFinalWord) October 21, 2019
The Steelers (2-4) are currently on their Week 7 bye and will return for Week 8 Monday, Oct. 28, to face the Dolphins at Heinz Field.
Chickillo, a defensive end at the University of Miami, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and converted to linebacker. In five seasons with the Steelers, Chickillo has made nine starts, registering 7.5 sacks, 63 tackles (40 solo), 15 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
In 2019, Chickillo has appeared in just three games while dealing with plantar fasciitis, tallying a half-sack and one tackle in limited action.
