Steelers Former Super Bowl Champion Exposed George Pickens' Comments As Completely Inappropriate

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their fair share of struggles during the 2023 NFL season, but perhaps the most significant drama has unfolded within their wide receiver room. Among the players drawing the most attention, both positive and negative, is 22-year-old George Pickens.

Throughout the season, Pickens has become a focal point of criticism, often sharing the spotlight with fellow wide receiver Diontae Johnson. His actions on and off the field have raised eyebrows and generated significant discussion among the media and Steeler Nation.

Pickens' behavior during the 2023 NFL season has raised concerns on multiple fronts. One recurring issue has been a perceived lack of effort on the field. On several occasions, Pickens has been seen failing to fully commit to plays, leaving the impression that he's not giving his maximum effort. Furthermore, he's displayed a sense of isolation from his teammates, notably by not celebrating touchdowns with them. Lastly, Pickens' activity on social media earlier in the season has stirred controversy, adding another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of his behavior both on and off the field.

After the Steelers' 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Pickens' behavior came under even more scrutiny. Despite reports of a promising conversation with Head Coach Mike Tomlin before the game, Pickens seemingly failed to make a concerted effort on a particular play when running back Jaylen Warren was pushing for a touchdown. Instead of blocking or assisting Warren, Pickens opted out of the play.

Steelers' George Pickens' Response To Criticism

When questioned about his lack of effort on the play and the criticism he received from media and fans, Pickens responded defensively.

"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."

Trai Essex, a former Steelers offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion, took issue with Pickens' comments. He pointed out that it's not just members of the media or individuals who have never played football who are criticizing Pickens. Former players, including Super Bowl winners, have also raised concerns about his lack of effort and attitude.

“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 challenged Pickens' assertion that only those who have never played the game can't understand his perspective. He highlighted the inconsistency in accepting praise from the media when it's positive, while dismissing their critique when it's negative.

While Pickens is undoubtedly a talented player, his inability to handle personal frustrations and controversies effectively has become a growing concern. His actions and comments reflect a player who either doesn't grasp the magnitude of his actions on and off the field, or simply doesn't care about the consequences.

As Pickens continues to draw attention for all the wrong reasons, it's clear that Tomlin must engage in consistent discussions with him to address his behavior and attitude. Additionally, the team may find itself repeatedly answering questions about Pickens until he matures and becomes a more responsible and team-oriented player.

Despite his youth, Pickens is a professional athlete and should understand the expectations that come with it. His future as a Steeler remains uncertain, but the hope is that he can learn from these experiences, grow as a player and a person, and ultimately become a valuable asset to the team. 

The Steelers selected Pickens as the 52nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as his draft stock fell while he was recovering from an injury and others expressed concerns about his maturity levels. So far the Pickens experiment has been a struggle. It's worth noting that Pickens has already faced considerable adversity in the early stages of his professional football career. The future will reveal whether he can grow and glean valuable lessons from these issues or if he fails to do so.

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