Steelers' top pick robbed in Chicago

5/6/2008

CHICAGO - Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early yesterday, his mother and agent said.

The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall's wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune.

"He didn't get hit or anything, he didn't get hurt or anything," Sybil Mendenhall said. "He's fine."

Police spokesman John Mirabelli said a man and a woman were robbed at the lakefront around 2 a.m. by two offenders, but he declined to identify the victims. No one was in custody for the crime, he said.

"It was obviously a scary moment," Mendenhall's agent, Mike McCartney, said. "But he is fine. He is doing great. He said he doesn't have anything that is worth his life."

The Steelers selected Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in this year's NFL draft.

The 20-year-old Mendenhall skipped his senior year at Illinois to enter the draft. He was the 2007 Big Ten offensive player of the year.