The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently riding a three-game losing streak in 2023, with all the losses being rather embarrassing. They've all been so bad that many players on the Steelers have had their effort questioned over the course of this losing streak, including second-year wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens has been accused of taking plays off, and he explained it was due to him being worried about getting injured. This was obviously met with criticism, as he admitted to putting himself before the betterment of the team.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens before a loss to the Colts in 2023.
Steelers' Pickens Destroyed By Dorin Dickerson
In the Steelers' Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, Pickens had a specific play that he clearly did not finish, which ended up hurting his team. He began blocking a defensive back on a run by Jaylen Warren, but seemed to give up halfway through the play. It resulted in the defender he was responsible for making the tackle and preventing Warren from scoring. The play went viral and Pickens was scrutinized all across social media and was particularly roasted by Pittsburgh radio personality and former NFL player, Dorin Dickerson.
"Ok. Well, ask any former football player and they will say his effort is dog s**t."
Dickerson played in the NFL for six seasons, and was an All-American in college. He has seen a lot of things on the field and certainly knows when a player isn't trying as hard as he should be, which is exactly what he saw in Pickens.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens signals a first down against the Colts in 2023.
Dickerson was referencing the comments made by Pickens on Tuesday, where he spoke about not wanting to be injured and how that is why he stopped blocking on the play. Pickens felt like he had a good excuse for quitting halfway through the play, but Dickerson clearly thought otherwise.
"I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to [him]," explained Pickens. "I ain't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too [long], you can get ran up on very easily."
Obviously, professional football players are putting their body on the line every time they step out on the field. It is a violent game, but they signed up for it and they know what the consequences could be. It sucks whenever a player goes down, especially with a serious injury. However, it is part of the game and Pickens needs to be able to put his body on the line for the rest of his teammates. Warren would have scored on the play, yet instead he was taken down before the end zone because Pickens was too worried about himself. This is precisely why Dickerson felt the need to go at Pickens on social media.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receiver George Pickens tried to avoid an Indianapolis Colts defender after making a catch in their Week 15 regular season matchup.
Tank Dell, who Pickens referenced in his comment suffered a season ending injury in Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season. Dell fractured his fibula on a play where he was blocking on a run play down by the goal line, and he got rolled up on by a pile of players which caused his leg to twist in a weird way that caused his injury. It's unfortunate that it happened, but it is part of the game and freak injuries like that happen very often. Pickens being scared of getting hurt is no excuse for his lack of effort on the play. He put the betterment of the team on the back-burner, and prioritized himself.
Pickens' selfishness has now been put on full display, and it's clear he prioritizes his own agenda over any team success for the Steelers. If he decided to put himself first on the field once, he'll have no problem doing it again. He has some clear maturing to do, and needs to learn that football is a team sport. All that matters is the team's success, and all players should do whatever they can for the betterment of the team.
What do you think about Dickerson's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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