Former Steelers Linebacker Vows NFL Return

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo has vowed to return to the NFL, following his retirement in 2021 and a mental episode earlier this month that caused police to be called.

Chickillo, 30, has been retired from football since July 2021 and last played for the Denver Broncos in the 2020 season. He announced his return to football in a post on Instagram on Monday.

“Today is the first day of training for my @nfl comeback! God speed!,” he wrote.

Chickillo made headlines on Oct. 7 when police were called and allegedly needed to tase him in order to subdue him during what his girlfriend called a “medical situation.”

Chickillo was at Hialeah Hospital in the Miami suburb of Hialeah, Florida for unknown reasons when he became violent and began trashing an office. Police told TMZ that Chickillo began attacking other people at the hospital, including his father, before they were called to subdue him.

Chickillo was not arrested and TMZ reported that he was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold while being treated for bipolar disorder, his girlfriend Tatu Baby said.

A Tampa, Florida native, the Steelers drafted Chickillo out of Miami in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He caught on as a special teams performer and backup outside linebacker, spending five seasons with the Steelers.

Chickillo was arrested in 2019 after a domestic violence incident at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Chargers were later dropped and he was reinstated to the team, but he was cut in a salary cap-related move the following offseason.

He spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos in 2020 before retiring from football in 2021. Chickillo finished his career with 108 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

“My whole life my dream was to go to the University of Miami and play in the NFL,” Chickillo said upon his retirement. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and thankful for every one of the teams that have me a shot. The game of football is a part of my family and will always be forever.”

Chickillo had been in attendance at Steelers practice recently and was in Pittsburgh for the team’s most recent home game against the Cleveland Browns.