Pittsburgh Steelers Receiver George Pickens Stirs Controversy with Eye Black Message

Pittsburgh, PA – In a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys, George Pickens found himself in the spotlight for a rather unusual reason. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver sported an eye black strip under his eyes that contained an explicit phrase, reading, “open f—ing always.” This incident raised eyebrows, especially considering the NFL’s rule against players writing messages in their eye black.

When asked about the rule, Pickens claimed he was unaware of it, saying, “Never seen (the rule) before. Have you seen it before?” This humorous exchange followed a discussion of a previous fine that Cam Heyward, a Steelers defensive lineman, had to pay in 2015 for writing his father’s nickname on his eye black.

Despite this eyebrow-raising moment, the 23-year-old Pickens was quick to downplay the significance of his eye black, stating it was “just eye black” and confirming that he hadn’t heard anything from the league regarding potential fines. His night was filled with other highlights, including leading the Steelers in receptions and yards, despite having a limited number of snaps due to the coaching staff’s load management strategy.

Coach Mike Tomlin explained the dip in playing time for Pickens, who played a career-low 34 snaps, as a strategic move. Pickens, however, seemed unbothered by the reduced playing time. “It’s not on me,” he remarked, emphasizing that the decision lies with Arthur Smith, the Steelers’ first-year offensive coordinator.

In the closing moments of the game, Pickens faced another moment of attention when he controversially grabbed Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis by the facemask. This incident drew criticism from Lewis, who called it “weak.” Pickens expressed his frustration over missed opportunities during the game, pointing out that “a lot of fans (were) mad as well” when the team failed to convert on third downs.

Though the day was eventful for Pickens on the field, Tomlin noted the team’s struggle to make big plays, with Pittsburgh’s longest gain being a 21-yard reception from Pickens himself. The Steelers continue to work on their game as they aim for a stronger performance in the coming weeks.