Steelers assistant coach and former player Joey Porter was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after an altercation outside of a South Side bar Sunday night.
Pittsburgh police said that around 9:30 p.m. security guards at The Flats on East Carson Street summoned a police officer who was working at a nearby restaurant “due to an unruly customer who was in the process of assaulting the doorman.”
Click here for the latest: Court documents reveal new details about arrest of Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter
Once the officer arrived on the scene, the officer stopped the assault and arrested the 39-year-old Mr. Porter.
He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
He was released early this morning after posting $25,000 bond, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in City Court, Downtown on Jan. 19 for a preliminary hearing.
According to witnesses, Mr. Porter had been asked to leave the establishment several times and did not, and police were called to assist and the dispute moved onto the sidewalk.
Craig Johnston, of the South Side, was walking home when the scene unfolded in front of him.
He said that Mr. Porter and a Pittsburgh police officer argued, with Mr. Porter repeatedly saying “I didn’t put my hands on him.”
Mr. Johnston said that Mr. Porter was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle without further incident. He was transported to the Allegheny County Jail. Police stopped traffic in both directions. The entire incident lasted about 10 minutes, he said.
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten issued the following statement Sunday night: "We are aware of an incident tonight involving Joey Porter. We are still gathering information as it pertains to the situation, and we will have no further comment until we get more details.”
Mr. Porter is the Steelers outside linebackers coach. He joined the staff in 2014, following a 13-year NFL career that began in Pittsburgh. He was drafted by the Steelers in the third round in 1999. He was a three-time Pro Bowl honoree with the Steelers and the emotional leader of the defense on the Super Bowl XL-winning team, and his fiery play made him a fan favorite. He also played for Miami and Arizona.
In August 2003, he was shot outside of a bar in Denver during the preseason, but returned to play a few weeks later. Mr. Porter was an innocent bystander in that incident and not involved in any altercation, according to authorities.
Dan Gigler: dgigler@post-gazette.com; Twitter @gigs412.
First Published: January 9, 2017, 3:32 a.m.
