PITTSBURGH -- Police said a former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker wanted for his involvemnt in a bar fight turned himself in Tuesday night about 11 p.m.

Todd Arthrell said Jason Gildon -- who played for the Steelers for 10 years --punched him above the eye, cutting him in the bathroom at a Strip District bar shortly before 2 a.m. on May 13.

According to police, the two wrestled for a while at the Altar Bar on Penn Avenue until security and other bar patrons separated them.

Gildon's attorney told Channel 4 Action News reporter Jake Ploeger that while they don’t dispute that Gildon was involved in an incident at the bar, they claim the former Steeler was acting in self-defense.

"Whatever happened, I guarantee you, if he says he was trying to protect himself, he was trying to protect himself," said Gildon's brother-in-law, Jules McMillan.

Arthrell refused medical treatment at the scene. Gildon was not injured.

There is a warrant out for Gildon for one count of simple assault. The charge is a misdemeanor and would not carry any jail time if Gildon is convicted.

Gildon, the Steelers' all-time sack leader, lives in Franklin Park. He was cut by the Steelers in 2004 and retired from the NFL one year later.

Gildon was not aware there was a warrant out for his arrest until he saw the report on Channel 4 Action News on Tuesday evening, Ploeger said.

He was released on his own recognizance Wednesday morning and is scheduled to be in court next month.

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