Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens said he was unaware of the NFL rule prohibiting players from writing messages on their eye black during games.
Pickens wrote a message that included an expletive during Pittsburgh’s 20-17 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. The third-year pro finished with three catches for a season-low 26 yards against the Cowboys with the phrase “open (expletive) always” stretched under his eyes and across his nose.
“Never seen (the rule) before,” Pickens said Thursday. “Have you seen it before?”
When it was pointed out the defensive tackle Cam Heyward was fined in 2015 for writing the nickname of his father — former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward — on his eye black, the 23-year-old shrugged.
“Years ago, when I wasn’t in the league?” Pickens responded. “No.”
Pickens said “it was just eye black” when asked if there was any intent behind the decision and said he had not yet heard from the league about any potential fines.
The eye black was just part of an eventful night for the talented but volatile Pickens, who leads the Steelers in receptions (23) and yards (310) by a wide margin. Pickens also dragged Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis to the ground by his facemask on the game’s final play and slammed his helmet so hard at the end of a scoreless Pittsburgh possession that it bounced over the bench.
“You know when it’s third down, and you don’t convert (you’re frustrated),” Pickens said. “A lot of fans [were] mad as well.”
Outwardly, it appeared Pickens’ anger wasn’t reserved for between the lines. He played a career-low 34 snaps, which coach Mike Tomlin described as load management. Pickens sat alone on the bench for extended stretches in the second half, with injured veteran running back Cordarrelle Patterson one of the few teammates who came over to check on him.
“You’ve definitely got to feel for him,” Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said. “He’s just passionate about the game. … The biggest thing is just being patient…
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Publish date : 2024-10-10 21:01:44
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