The Pittsburgh Steelers were down two scores to the Buffalo Bills in an AFC Wildcard matchup when an incomplete pass was thrown in Steelers wide receiver George Pickens‘ direction.
Pickens was unable to bring the ball in after what he felt like was a controversial non-call. Buffalo Bills defender Dane Jackson appeared to grab his facemask and put his hand around Picken’s waist. Many fans were upset about the lack of a pass interference call.
Another no call for the Bills how is that possible 😭😭😭😭
George Pickens completely turned around and held during his route
Steelers getting cheated out of this game🤣
pic.twitter.com/pnDESqtG4b— Fantasy Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) January 16, 2024
pickens is pissed and i dont blame him because what the f**k
— lex (@alexarumberg) January 16, 2024
Interference on the incomplete to Pickens. Maybe refs are afraid to throw flags in fear snowballs will be thrown at them.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 16, 2024
Don’t blame George Pickens for being upset.
That pass interference was clear as day to everyone but the officials.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) January 16, 2024
It was 4th and 3 and a failure to go down and score would make it difficult for the Steelers to come back. Pickens was not happy about the call and threw his helmet down on the sideline.
Pickens is PISSED pic.twitter.com/eQkMokKGv7
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) January 16, 2024
The Steelers would go on to lose to the Bills 31-17 as they only had one more opportunity with the ball after the incident.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has a history of similar reactions
Earlier this season, Pickens was called out by many for what appeared to be a lack of effort when blocking in the run game. He also showed a similar lack of effort when a pass directed towards him was intercepted.
#Steelers WR George Pickens shows ZERO effort in trying to block a #Colts defender with his teammate running full speed at them
😳😳😳
pic.twitter.com/LOJYlWndoN— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 16, 2023
Watch the lack of effort by George Pickens after this INT. I’m really hoping that Omar Khan trades him during the offseason. pic.twitter.com/iwNXx0WxpL
— Billy Hartford (@BudDupreeFan) December 17, 2023
Pickens responded to the people saying that he didn’t put in the proper effort. In an article from Steeler Nation, Pickens argued that anyone that called him out for a lack of effort has never played football.
“All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football. They do what y’all do. Everybody that got opinions are all media, surface guys. None of them play football. It’s media surface guys, guys who ain’t never played the game,” Pickens said.
Former Steelers offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Trai Essex responded to Pickens in the same article. He, as someone who did play, had a perspective on the issue that not everyone was able to give.
“So I’m guessing he’s saying that if you didn’t play football, you don’t understand…..effort? So they knew what they were talkin about when they praised your blocking last year, but now they don’t? Mind you, plenty of former players have called him on it as well. C’mon now GP.”
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