Anthony Chickillo apologizes for ‘distraction’ to Steelers, ‘hopeful’ NFL won’t discipline him
Speaking publicly for the first time since a domestic incident at Nemacolin Woodlands involving his girlfriend last month, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo on Friday apologized for the distraction it caused and said he is “hopeful” the NFL will not discipline him further.
“I just want to acknowledge that the situation has been a distraction for my teammates, the organization and the fans,” Chickillo said from his locker at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “and I apologize for that.”
Chickillo practiced Friday for the second consecutive day following his reinstatement from the league’s reserve/commissioner exempt list Thursday morning. Charges against Chickillo were withdrawn Wednesday in Fayette County court after 90 minutes of discussion Wednesday among attorneys and arresting troopers in district court.
Chickillo, 26, faced charges of simple assault and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors, and harassment, a summary offense, in connection with an Oct. 20 incident involving longtime girlfriend Alysha Newman at Nemacolin.
Chickillo on Friday said he would “do whatever I can to help the team move forward. So, taking it one day at a time.”
Although Chickillo said he has not definitively been told if he will play in Sunday’s home game against the Indianapolis Colts, it is expected he will. The Steelers released one of the four outside linebackers on their 53-man roster, Jayrone Elliott, to make room for Chickillo on it. Chickillo was at the team facility regularly throughout the past two weeks.
A five-year veteran who’s been with the Steelers since being a sixth-round pick in 2015, Chickillo said he has “talked with everybody in the organization.”
When asked, defensive captain Cameron Heyward politely declined to comment on Chickillo’s situation or him re-joining the team.
“I know we’ve got a good front office and a good staff for support,” Heyward said, “and they are all going to handle it.”
Despite the charges being dropped, Chickillo potentially is subject to further discipline from the NFL under its personal conduct policy.
“I am grateful that no charges (were pursued) from the legal system,” Chickillo said, “…and hopeful, moving forward with the NFL, that they find the same thing.”
Chickillo, who four times in 100 seconds with media used the phrase “moving forward,” indicated his interactions with teammates and others in the organization have remained positive.
“Coach Tomlin has been supportive,” Chickillo said. “I’m taking it one day at a time, just do what I can to grow as a person and a football player.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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