The Pittsburgh Steelers’ historic journey to Dublin for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland was marred by an unsettling incident involving backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. As the team prepared to make transatlantic history against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park, Thompson found himself at the center of a frightening ordeal late Friday night—one that has since prompted questions about player security, international travel, and the unpredictable nature of life on the road for professional athletes.
According to multiple reports from the Irish Independent, RTE, and NFL Network, the 28-year-old Thompson was assaulted and robbed in the Dame Street and Temple Bar area of central Dublin during the night of September 26, 2025, or the early hours of September 27. The Irish public service broadcaster RTE confirmed that local police, known as Gardaí, responded to an incident involving a man in his 20s in the area during those hours. The Irish Independent further detailed that several males attacked Thompson, stealing his phone and leaving him with minor injuries that required brief treatment at a local hospital.
Thompson, who joined the Steelers earlier in 2025 after previous stints with the Miami Dolphins, was already on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury sustained on September 10. He was not eligible to play in Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup, but he remained with the team throughout the trip and was seen on the field in street clothes before kickoff. Despite the scare, Thompson’s quick return to the team and his visible presence at Croke Park suggested a positive outcome from what could have been a much more serious situation.
The Steelers had arrived in Dublin on the morning of September 26, touching down for a weekend that was supposed to be all about expanding the NFL’s international footprint. The league, which has previously staged regular-season games in London and Germany, had chosen Ireland for its next big step—a move designed to engage new fans and celebrate the sport’s growing global reach. The Steelers and Vikings both entered the contest with 2-1 records, and anticipation was high among Irish fans eager to witness American football at the highest level.
After a light team workout from 1 to 3 p.m. local time on Friday, players were given a brief window to explore Dublin. It was during this period that Thompson’s night took an unexpected turn. While details about the robbery remain limited—Irish police have not yet confirmed the incident as a formal robbery, and no complaint has been filed—what is clear is that Thompson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Newsweek reported that Gardaí encountered a male requiring medical assistance on Dame Street in the early hours of Saturday, and emergency services treated and assessed him at the scene before he was released from hospital.
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten addressed the situation in a statement that was echoed across all major reports: “We are aware of a situation involving Skylar Thompson on Friday night in Dublin. We will have no further comment at this time as we are working with NFL security to gather more information regarding the incident.” The NFL Players Association also weighed in, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to player safety, especially as the league continues to push into new international markets. “The NFLPA is actively gathering more information and working to understand the full circumstances surrounding what took place,” the association said. “As always, our priority is the health and safety of our player members—especially as we continue to work on player protections and well-being while playing international games—and we will continue to support Skylar in any way he needs.”
For Thompson, the incident is yet another hurdle in what has already been a challenging season. After a promising start to his NFL career with the Dolphins, including a playoff start in 2022, the Kansas State product has struggled to find his footing due to injuries and shifting team roles. His move to Pittsburgh earlier this year was supposed to offer a fresh start, but the hamstring injury and now this robbery have kept him sidelined. Still, his resilience and quick return to the team after the Dublin incident have not gone unnoticed by teammates and fans alike.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not address Thompson’s status in his postgame press conference, choosing instead to focus on the team’s performance in a tightly contested 24-21 victory over the Vikings. Linebacker T.J. Watt, when asked about the situation, replied, “I don’t have enough to comment on that.” The NFL, for its part, has declined to comment publicly as the investigation continues.
Irish police have so far refrained from confirming the incident as a robbery, noting that no formal complaint has been filed. Gardaí told Newsweek in an emailed statement, “Gardaí from Pearse Street on patrol on Dame Street in the early hours of Saturday morning 27 September 2025 encountered a male who required medical assistance. The male in his 20s was treated and assessed at the scene by emergency services personnel.” The lack of a formal complaint leaves some ambiguity, but the consensus among NFL and team officials is that Thompson was indeed the victim of an assault and theft.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a landmark weekend for the NFL in Ireland. The Steelers’ narrow win over the Vikings was a showcase of American football for a new audience, and the atmosphere at Croke Park was electric. Yet the events of Friday night serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges and risks that come with international expansion—not just for teams and fans, but for the players themselves.
As the NFL Players Association continues its investigation and the Steelers work with local authorities and league security, questions remain about how best to protect athletes abroad. The league’s commitment to player safety has never been more relevant, and the incident involving Thompson is likely to spark further discussions about security protocols for future international games.
For now, Skylar Thompson is recovering and remains with his teammates, grateful for their support and the quick response of emergency personnel. The Steelers, meanwhile, leave Dublin with a hard-fought win and a renewed awareness of the unpredictable nature of life on the road. As the NFL looks to the future, the lessons of this weekend will undoubtedly shape how the league approaches its next international adventure.
With the investigation ongoing and Thompson’s health stabilized, attention now turns back to football. The Steelers and their fans can breathe a sigh of relief that their quarterback is safe, but the events in Dublin won’t soon be forgotten.
