The Pittsburgh Steelers lost 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs, and wide receiver George Pickens blamed the refs after the game.
George Pickens on the #Steelers’ loss:
“You can’t play the Bills and the refs at the same time.”
(via: @TheAthleticNFL)
pic.twitter.com/rP8wmVnwrz— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 16, 2024
Pickens argued that “you can’t play the Bills and the refs at the same time.” This likely comes as a result of the controversial non-call that came on a 4th and 3 with the Steelers down by two possessions. Bills defensive back Dane Jackson appeared to grab Pickens’ facemask before putting his arm around his waist.
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 was visibly upset on the sideline. He threw his helmet and muttered under his breath in dissatisfaction with the refs’ call.
Pickens is PISSED pic.twitter.com/eQkMokKGv7
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) January 16, 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers fans were not happy about the pass interference call that George Pickens did not receive
Many Steelers fans took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with the lack of a pass interference call. A lot of them said that they did not blame Pickens for his outburst on the sideline.
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
The refs are the biggest single influence in the #NFL. It’s become legit pathetic.
— 𝑍ᴀᴄᴋ Ꮹɪᴀɴɪɴᴏ (@ZackGianino) 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
The refs when it comes to penalties against us: pic.twitter.com/KXx8uzfPUZ
— Deacon (@TheMenacingOne) January 16, 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has a history of outbursts and ‘immaturity’
Earlier this season, Pickens was the subject of a lot of scrutiny. The scrutiny directed at Pickens came as a result of what appeared to be a lack of effort from the former second-round draft pick.
#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
Some fans called for Pickens to be benched, while other fans called for him to be shipped off to another team.
He’s just like claypool, he should be benched
— GamblingApe (@RealGamblingApe) December 17, 2023
Bad teammate, no effort, time to sit the bench
— Cappy 👌🏻 (@Danoutdoors2) December 17, 2023
Sounds like dude is gonna be bye bye after this season
— @beefandthedeuce (@beefandthedeuce) December 17, 2023
Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s shipped out in the offseason
— Sauce Better🥫 (@JetsFuckingSuck) December 16, 2023
Pickens responded to the allegations of a lack of effort. In an article from Steeler Nation, Pickens said that anyone who said he lacked effort didn’t know what they were talking about.
“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.
Two-time Super Bowl champion and former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex responded to Pickens in the same article. He said that it wasn’t just fans and media calling him out, but players were as well.
“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,” Essex said.
Picken’s future with the Steelers is as up in the air as is head coach Mike Tomlin’s is. Tomlin and Pickens bumped heads this year, but Tomlin left the press conference when asked about the one year remaining on his contract.
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