Anthony Chickillo has been arrested for alleged simple assault, criminal mischief, and harassment, according to a breaking news story from local Pittsburgh station WTAE.
According to their website, Chickillo was arrested and arraigned this morning and the “alleged incident involves Chickillo’s girlfriend and that it occurred at Nemacolin.”
Chickillo’s girlfriend is Alysha Newman, a well-known and successful Canadian pole vaulter.
For 2019, Chickillo has played just three games due to a foot injury. He’s recorded half a sack. The Steelers drafted him in the 6th round of the 2015 draft out of Miami (FL). He signed a two year contract this offseason. In his career, he’s recorded 63 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Obvious legal issues aside, Chickillo could face league discipline for the alleged assault. His future as a Steeler is in doubt. He is the first Steeler to be arrested since Artie Burns in 2017 after police found him to be driving with a suspended license.
Steelers head PR man Burt Lauten issued this statement to WTAE.
The Steelers signed Chickillo to a new two-year, $8 million contract back in March that included a $2.195 million signing bonus. The Steelers would incur a 2020 dead money charge of $1,097,500 should they decide to part ways with him as a result of this recent incident. They would also be on the hook for a dead money charge of $1,097,500 this season and the only cap relief they would have is what’s left on his 2019 base salary of $805,000.
