NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is working on increasing its international footprint. For the first time ever this year, the league will have ia game in Dublin, Ireland. The contest will be between the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first-ever international game and the Minnesota Vikings, a team that has become one of the league’s regular international participants.
However, things took a sour turn for one of the team’s quarterbacks, according to one prominent NFL insider.
“Steelers’ trip to Dublin wasn’t without some drama: Sources say backup QB Skylar Thompson got jumped and robbed Friday night in Dublin. Thompson, who is on injured reserve, suffered minor injuries but is OK and with the team,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday.
Statement from Steelers Spokesman Burt Lauten: “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 Spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement.
Fans reacted to the shocking news on social media.
“Holy smokes. One thing I will say is, how on earth did he get into that situation, and hopefully he wasn’t alone?” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Keep an American sport in America. There’s no better place on earth than the United States. When teams go to Brazil, they’re forced to sit in their hotel rooms all week and get a military escort to practice and the game. The international expansion needs to end,” someone else added.
“‘Some drama’ … you mean a player was physically assaulted and robbed? Would hardly call that drama Tom. Hope he’s alright,” another fan added.
Hopefully, Thompson and anyone else involved is okay.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.