It was supposed to be a historic weekend for the National Football League in Ireland, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings faced off in the nation’s first-ever regular-season NFL game at Croke Park. But the excitement on the field was overshadowed by a troubling incident off it, involving Steelers backup quarterback Skylar Thompson, who was reportedly assaulted and robbed in the heart of Dublin late Friday night.
Thompson, 28, who joined the Steelers this season after a stint with the Miami Dolphins, was in Ireland with the team despite being on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He has yet to throw a pass for Pittsburgh, but his presence on the trip was meant to support his teammates and soak in the historic atmosphere of NFL football abroad. Instead, his experience took a harrowing turn in the early hours of Saturday, September 27, 2025.
According to multiple reports, including those from the Irish Independent and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Thompson was "jumped and robbed" near the bustling Temple Bar area, a popular nightlife district in Dublin. The Irish Independent detailed that "a number of males were involved in an assault on Thompson" and that his phone was stolen. However, Irish police—An Garda Síochána—have not confirmed whether a robbery took place. In a statement released Monday, police said, "No formal complaint has been made by any person at this time. Following preliminary enquiries, An Garda Síochána has no further information to substantiate, or not, any report this incident involved a robbery."
Police did confirm that officers on patrol encountered a man in his 20s requiring medical assistance on Dame Street early Saturday morning. "The male in his 20s was treated and assessed at the scene by emergency services personnel," the statement continued. Sources across the board agree that Thompson suffered minor injuries in the incident and was briefly treated at a local hospital or at the scene, but he is otherwise okay and was present at the Steelers-Vikings game on Sunday.
The Steelers, for their part, have been tight-lipped about the situation. Team spokesperson Burt Lauten addressed the media with a carefully worded statement: "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." Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not mention Thompson’s status in his postgame press conference, and when linebacker T.J. Watt was asked about the incident, he replied, "I don’t have enough to comment on that."
While the NFL itself declined to comment, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) was more forthcoming, expressing both concern and relief. In a statement, the NFLPA said, "We are aware of the incident involving Skylar Thompson in Ireland and are relieved to know he is okay. The NFLPA is actively gathering more information and working to understand the full circumstances surrounding what took place. 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."
As the story developed, it became clear that the incident raised broader questions about player safety during international games. The NFL has been aggressively expanding its global footprint, with the Dublin matchup marking the second of seven international games scheduled for the 2025 season. While the league’s efforts to grow the game abroad have been applauded, they also expose players to unfamiliar environments and, at times, increased risk. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that the "day off that players get between practices and games overseas often leads them to venture out and explore," which can sometimes lead to risky situations for high-profile athletes.
Thompson’s case is a stark reminder of these challenges. Despite being a fourth-string quarterback and on injured reserve since September 10 due to his hamstring, he remains an important part of the Steelers’ locker room and was eligible to return from IR as early as Week 7. There is no indication yet as to whether the incident in Dublin will affect his recovery timeline, but for now, the Steelers are focused on supporting their teammate while cooperating with NFL security and local authorities.
For Thompson, this season marks his fourth in the NFL and first in Pittsburgh. Previously, he spent his professional career with the Miami Dolphins, where he appeared in 10 games, threw for 721 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Most of his playing time came during the 2022 campaign, when he filled in for an injured Tua Tagovailoa and even started in the Dolphins’ dramatic 34-31 AFC Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills. Since joining the Steelers, he has not yet seen action under center, but his presence on the roster is valued for depth and experience.
As for the historic game itself, the Steelers edged out the Vikings 24-21 in front of a jubilant Irish crowd at Croke Park. Thompson was in attendance, supporting his teammates from the sidelines. It was a hard-fought contest that showcased the NFL’s growing appeal on the Emerald Isle, even as the league’s international ambitions were briefly overshadowed by off-field events.
In the days since the incident, Thompson’s Instagram account was switched to private, possibly in response to the increased media attention. Meanwhile, the investigation remains open-ended. Irish police have not received a formal complaint, and as of the latest updates, have not substantiated reports of a robbery, though preliminary inquiries are ongoing. The Steelers, NFLPA, and NFL security continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing Thompson’s well-being and the safety of all players traveling abroad.
This episode has sparked renewed debate about the risks associated with international games—an issue that the NFL and NFLPA are keenly aware of as they look to balance the excitement of global expansion with the responsibility of protecting their athletes. As the league pushes forward with its ambitious schedule of overseas contests, the hope is that lessons from this weekend will lead to even stronger safeguards and support systems for players venturing far from home.
For now, the Steelers and their fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Skylar Thompson is safe and recovering from his ordeal. The team’s focus returns to the gridiron, but the events in Dublin will linger as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges that can arise when the world of professional sports crosses international borders.
