George Pickens was not significantly 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 extensive 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 simply right here so I received’t get fined,” as reporters directed questions on the 23-year-old.
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Pittsburgh Steelers extensive receiver George Pickens stands on the sidelines previous to the preseason sport 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 sport towards the Cleveland Browns, which the Steelers misplaced 24-19.
“I am simply right here so I will not 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 top zone. Pickens was within the space of the move, however Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II was guarding him and successfully took the extensive receiver out of the play.
Cameras missed the start of what seemed to be a skirmish, however a fast pan appeared to point out Pickens and Newsome getting snarled close to the stands. The digital camera 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 moving into it with followers.
George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers appears on from the sidelines throughout the sport 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. “Circumstances performed an enormous, enormous half in immediately’s sport. I don’t actually suppose the Cleveland Browns are an excellent crew in any respect,” he instructed reporters. “I believe the situations sort of saved them immediately.”
“The snow, the situations have been so dangerous,” he continued. “I do not even suppose the QB may see generally. And while you received situations like that, on the opponent’s residence area, it sort of performs of 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 extensive receiver George Pickens factors to a Cincinnati Bengals defender throughout the sport at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23, 2023. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire through 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 underneath scrutiny after he wore eye black throughout a sport that featured a profane phrase. The attention black strip, which stretched underneath his eyes, stated, “open f—ing all the time.”
NFL coverage prohibits gamers from including messages to eye black throughout video games, however apparently the rule was not on Pickens’ radar. “By no means seen (the rule) earlier than,” he stated when requested if he was conscious of the league’s coverage pertaining to eye black. “Have you ever seen it earlier than?”
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A reporter then talked about the superb 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 superb was introduced up, saying, “Years in the past, once I wasn’t within the league? So, no.”
The Steelers will look to solidify their place atop the AFC North after they play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
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