The Pittsburgh Steelers had a rough Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys, which resulted in drama for the rest of the week. The primary source of it was George Pickens,who seemed to play some snaps at half speed and get benched for it. On top of that, he yanked down Jourdan Lewis of the Cowboys by his face mask on the final play of the game, prompting Lewis to call him out for being "weak." His vulgar eye black message did not help matters in the slightest either.
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Steelers' George Pickens makes a catch against the Cowboys.
Pickens received a fine on the Saturday after the game, as is customary around the NFL. That dirty move on Lewis cost him over $10,000. Pickens was allegedly frustrated and upset throughout the entire game for multiple reasons, and he took his anger out on the first guy that walked up to him. For a guy that was supposed become more mature, that was a very immature and bone-headed decision.
That's not even the first time that Pickens took his anger out on an opponent at the end of a loss. In his rookie season, he got ejected at the end of the team’s Week 11 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he drove his body into another player after the Steelers failed to recover an onside kick. He was also fined after the fact, but not suspended. If he's not careful, the NFL could take further action on these unneeded plays at the end of losses.
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Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. working with the team during camp.
Pickens was not the only player to be fined, however. Beanie Bishop Jr. got dinged for $4,463 for a facemask early in the second quarter. Obviously, the intent was not nearly as malicious as Pickens'. It does not matter if the play was an accident or not, however, as the NFL will not hesitate to fine someone for any illegal thing involving the helmet. Luckily, it was Bishop's first infraction, and it wasn't a big problem, so he gets a much smaller chunk taken out.
Steelers May Be Waiting On Another Fine
Previously, the NFL announced that they were investigating the situation with Pickens and his eye black, which read "Open F***ing Always." They have always been strict on uniform violations since Roger Goodell took over as commissioner, and this case is no different. The rule is that players have to get their messages approved before games and based on the fact that they are actively reviewing it, as well as the swear word, it seems like Pickens did not get approval beforehand.
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Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens sulks while fellow receiver Diontae Johnson celebrates his first touchdown since the 2021 season
The Steelers have been fined for lesser stuff, including eye black messages. Cameron Heyward was repeatedly hit for having his father's nickname on his face. If "Iron Head" is not allowed, there is no way that the NFL will allow something with a swear word over the nose of a player. There is no word on if Pickens made an attempt to get the message approved, but even if he did try, he would have a better chance of it being allowed if he removed the middle part.
What do you think about Pickens' behavior, as well as the fines that he and Bishop received? How much will he get hit for when the NFL is done reviewing his eye black? Let us know in the comments.
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