It seems like every week, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver, George Pickens is growing in popularity. His charismatic demeanor on and off the field has taken Steeler Nation by storm, and the fans want nothing more than to see his in-game targets go way up. He's been a star ever since training camp in Latrobe, PA back in August, which is also when and where he started getting called by his new NFL nickname.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens (#14) celebrates his two-point conversion catch against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 28, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN. | Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
"NFL YoungBoy" seems fitting for the Georgia standout, as his play resembles the nature of rapper, NBA YoungBoy. He's relentless. He's gritty. He's an absolute savage. And yes, he's got that dog in 'em.
Thursday, Pickens joined The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke on Ep. 389. He spoke about his alma mater, his NFL Draft process, his relationship with fellow rookie, Kenny Pickett, Head Coach Mike Tomlin being a huge mentor, and much more. Questions regarding Pickens' Instagram profile have risen this week, which included addressing his "NFL YoungBoy" nickname. Of course, Pickens spoke to that as well and let the world know, he's "GP" now:
"It's really self-explanatory for real," Pickens stated. "To be honest bruh, I wasn't really like never a big fan of it. That was really like what the fans was going on with. And I'm just like a laid back type person, so like, you know, I just let it, you know... I ain't gonna be a person like, 'Nah, don't,' you know what I mean? Stuff like that. So I just let it, you know, linger on. And then, it kinda got, you know, low key corny. So I was like, you feel me like, I never really accepted it anyway. I was just telling people, 'I'm GP.' You feel me? Like, it's kinda dead now."
Earlier this week in Pickens Instagram bio he had put '**** NFL young'. The bio has since changed to not include that message.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookies, George Pickens (#14) and Kenny Pickett (8), embrace during a game on Christmas Eve, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
As far as his relationship with Pickett, Pickens explains how their connection started during the NFL Combine in memorable fashion:
"I seen him at the combine and then I seen him at one of my top 30 visits. I think we were at the Detroit Lions together," Pickens said. "And that was ironically my last top 30 visit. Like, that was my last one. Then I was done. And I ain't seen him no other visit though. Like throughout. I had 12 of them. So like, throughout all the other ones, I ain't seen him not once.""But on the last one, I seen him. I went home, I was like, 'Bruh got the, you know like the, way back hair. Like, his hair really was stuck.' I was like, 'That's like some James Bond type,' you feel me? That's really what stuck with me. And then, you know, just so happen, ironically, just like you said, seen bro again, seen the hair again."
As mentioned, Pickens also had extremely kind words about his current head coach:
"I ain't gonna lie, it's really been like a... he a huge mentor. I see him more like, I mean his title say '[Head] Coach,' but like I see him as a little more than that, because you don't meet humans like that everyday. Like, everybody just got a title, you see what I mean? But you don't ever really meet a human like that that's wired how the way he's wired. So, he really a huge, huge mentor.""He don't really see stuff in a negative light. It could be the worst, worst possible situation bro. He'll probably make light of it, and it actually be true. You actually like, 'I can actually get out of this,' or 'I can actually do this.'"
"It's kind of crazy... he low key got a super power. It's cool to have him as a coach, but I really look at him like a mentor."
To watch the full interview, click here.
So what do yinz think? Can we officially put an end to the "NFL YoungBoy" moniker? What are your expectations for Pickens the rest of the season? Make sure to click to comment below!
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