Report: Former Pittsburgh Steelers LB Anthony Chickillo tased at hospital, suffered apparent breakdown

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo was reportedly tased by police at a hospital, according to TMZ. Police said he suffered an apparent breakdown in a doctor’s office beforehand.

Chickillo was at Hileah Hospital in Florida on Thursday when he apparently started breaking objects and throwing chairs, according to TMZ. Police said he “tried to attack everybody” before starting to wrestle his dad, and tasers were deployed to subdue him after police arrived. Video showed Chickillo shirtless as police put him in handcuffs.

Chickillo was not arrested, according to police. Instead, he was taken into a 72-hour psychiatric hold as a result of the incident. According to TMZ, he will not be arrested because the doctors at the hospital don’t want to press any charges against him.

Chickillo’s girlfriend told TMZ he was suffering a medical episode and deals with bipolar disorder caused by concussions during his NFL career. She also said he’s in the hospital receiving medication.

“It was just a medical situation,” she said.

More on Anthony Chickillo’s career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Anthony Chickillo played for the Steelers from 2015-19 before stints on the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos practice squads in 2020. He announced his retirement in July 2021 after totaling 108 tackles and 8.5 sacks during his career.

Chickillo’s biggest season with Pittsburgh came in 2016 when he had 29 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as he moved over to defensive end to help the Steelers to an 11-5 record. The next year, he set a new career high with 3.0 sacks as he moved back to linebacker.

During his playing days, Chickillo had a run-in with police due to domestic violence allegations against him. He was arrested, but the charges were dropped after his girlfriend declined to testify against him.

The Steelers drafted Chickillo in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Miami. With the Hurricanes, he had 170 tackles and 5.5 sacks during his four-year career, which included 47 starts.

“My whole life my dream was to go to the University of Miami and play in the NFL,” Chickillo wrote in an Instagram post announcing his retirement. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and thankful for every one of the teams that gave me a shot. The game of football is apart of my family and will always be forever. Thank you for the support everyone!”