George Pickens was not notably in a giving temper throughout his media session contained in the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ locker room the day after Thanksgiving.
As an alternative of offering reporters with considerate or insightful responses to their questions, the third-year huge receiver channeled former NFL operating again Marshawn Lynch’s viral second at Tremendous Bowl XLIX’s media day in 2015.
Pickens repeatedly responded, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined,” as reporters directed questions on the 23-year-old.
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Pittsburgh Steelers huge receiver George Pickens stands on the sidelines previous to the preseason recreation towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 11, 2023. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photos)
One of many questions directed at Pickens centered round whether or not the receiver had heard from the NFL about any potential punishment for his involvement in a scuffle on the finish of final week’s recreation towards the Cleveland Browns, which the Steelers misplaced 24-19.
“I’m just here so I won’t get fined,” he repeated.
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On the ultimate play of the sport, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson tossed a Hail Mary towards the tip zone. Pickens was within the space of the cross, however Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II was guarding him and successfully took the huge receiver out of the play.
Cameras missed the start of what appeared to be a skirmish, however a fast pan appeared to indicate Pickens and Newsome getting tousled close to the stands. The digicam then confirmed Pickens being held again by two members of stadium safety close to the seats. One fan was even holding Pickens’ arm, resulting in preliminary hypothesis the participant was entering into it with followers.
George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers seems to be on from the sidelines throughout the recreation towards the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Nov. 2, 2023. (Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)
Shortly after the Steelers’ shocking loss contained in the Browns’ snowy residence stadium, Pickens positioned the blame on the sport’s climate situations. “Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game. I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all,” he instructed reporters. “I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”
“The snow, the conditions were so bad,” he continued. “I don’t even think the QB could see sometimes. And when you got conditions like that, at the opponent’s home field, it kind of plays in their favor.”
The snowfall picked up within the second half of the sport. Whereas the climate situations have been one thing each groups needed to take care of, Pickens’ assertion suggests the Steelers fell to 8-3 as a result of snow and wind.
Pittsburgh Steelers huge receiver George Pickens factors to a Cincinnati Bengals defender throughout the recreation at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23, 2023. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
Friday’s trade was not the primary time this season that Pickens has proven his obvious lack of fondness for having to work together with the media.
In October, Pickens got here below scrutiny after he wore eye black throughout a recreation that featured a profane phrase. The eye black strip, which stretched below his eyes, stated, “open f—ing always.”
NFL coverage prohibits gamers from including messages to eye black throughout video games, however apparently the rule was not on Pickens’ radar. “Never seen (the rule) before,” he stated when requested if he was conscious of the league’s coverage pertaining to eye black. “Have you seen it before?”
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A reporter then talked about the nice that Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward needed to pay in 2015 when he wrote his father’s nickname on his eye black. Heyward’s father, Craig, performed within the NFL from 1988-1998 and glided by the nickname “Ironhead.”
Pickens shrugged when his teammate’s nice was introduced up, saying, “Years ago, when I wasn’t in the league? So, no.”
The Steelers will look to solidify their place atop the AFC North once they play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
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