‘We don’t want any dark clouds. We want all silver linings coming out of the excursion to the land of leprechauns and pots of gold’
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ hard-fought 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on an historic day in Croke Park was marred by the incident involving their backup quarterback who was reportedly mugged in the city’s Temple Bar area.
It has been claimed that Thompson (28), was “jumped and robbed” in the early hours of Saturday morning on the day before the game.
The incident reportedly involved several men, and it has been reported that Thompson’s phone was taken.
He reportedly sustained minor injuries and was briefly hospitalised at St James’ Hospital before being discharged.
Pittsburgh Steelers' backup quarterback Skylar Thompson (28) was briefly hospitalised with minor injuries
Pittsburgh Steelers' backup quarterback Skylar Thompson (28) was briefly hospitalised with minor injuries
News in 90 Seconds - October 2nd
In a post-match press conference yesterday, Steelers star TJ Watt was asked to comment on what happened, and said: “I don’t have enough to comment on that.”
Gardai have said that “no formal complaint has been made by any person at this time” adding that following preliminary inquiries, they had “no further information to substantiate, or not, any report this incident involved a robbery.
With the team now back in the US, fan site Steeler Nation reports that while the incident was reported by several media outlets her, “it was never formally filed with the Irish police as an official complaint, leaving many questions unanswered”.
“The timing and nature of the reports fuelled speculation about why the story didn’t gain more immediate traction during the event,” the Nation has written.
When NFL insider Mike Florio joined 93.7 The Fan, he suggested that the NFL may have attempted to cover up the incident to avoid overshadowing what was a successful game in Dublin
“According to him, the league likely wanted to preserve the celebratory atmosphere and not distract from the significance of the matchup, leaving fans and the media to piece together the story in the aftermath,” the Nation added.
"Well, I think our shared cynical nature would be that neither the NFL or the Steelers wanted to create an international incident over this," Florio told 93.7 The Fan.
"If he wasn’t badly injured and whatever he lost wasn’t all that significant, then let’s just exercise discretion here and not file a formal complaint."
The Steelers released a brief statement that did not provide much new information, an attempt Florio believes, to “save face” on what was otherwise a very positive day for the league.
"I don’t think he’s gonna fly back to Ireland and file one now," Florio said. "I think it was all about, ‘hey, we don’t want anything to ruin all the positivity that comes out of playing this game in Ireland and expanding the global footprint’.
“I think it’s that simple. Somebody suggested to him that the prudent thing to do would be to just say, ‘I am ok… We don’t want any dark clouds. We want all silver linings coming out of the excursion to the land of leprechauns and pots of gold’.”
While the fan site clarifies that this is just Florio’s opinion, he is “as connected as anyone when it comes to the NFL”.
“It’s interesting to hear him suggest that the league may have tried to cover this up,” the site adds.
And while Steelers fans are concerned and hopeful that Thompson is okay, the reports “remain murky, and no one truly knows how Thompson has held up or what actually happened”.
The NFL team were in the capital to play a historic first league match in Croke Park against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers star Skylar Thompson was 'jumped and robbed' in the early hours of the previous day.
Gardaí have said they have not received a formal report that the player was involved in an alleged incident in Dublin at the weekend.
In a statement today, gardaí said: “Gardaí from Pearse Street on patrol on Dame Street in the early hours of Saturday morning 27th 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.
“No formal complaint has been made by any person at this time.
“Following preliminary inquiries An Garda Síochána has no further information to substantiate, or not, any report this incident involved a robbery.
“An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time.”
The latest alleged incident follows a series of recent high-profile assaults in Temple Bar, including stabbings of tourists.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, Deputy Gerry Gannon said that every week, there are reports of assaults on the quays, stabbings, and attacks on residents and visitors alike.
“It’s bleak in Dublin city centre at the moment,” he added.