The NFL rule that prohibits gamers from including messages to eye black throughout video games apparently was not on George Pickens’ radar.
The third-year Pittsburgh Steelers extensive receiver’s eye black throughout a Week 5 sport in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys featured an express phrase.
The attention black strip, which stretched underneath his eyes, stated, “open f—ing all the time.”
“By no means seen (the rule) earlier than,” Pickens stated when requested if he was conscious of the league’s coverage pertaining to eye black. “Have you ever seen it earlier than?”
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A reporter then talked about the fantastic Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward needed to pay in 2015 when he wrote his father’s nickname on his eye black. Cam’s father, Craig, performed within the NFL from 1988-1998 and glided by the nickname “Ironhead.”
The 23-year-old Pickens shrugged when his teammate’s fantastic was introduced up, saying, “Years in the past, after I wasn’t within the league? So, no.”
Pickens stated “it was simply eye black” when requested if there was any intent behind the choice and stated he had not but heard from the league about any potential fines.
COWBOYS’ JOURDAN LEWIS BLASTS GEORGE PICKENS AFTER STEELERS STAR GRABS HIS FACEMASK IN LOSS: ‘WEAK’
The attention black was simply a part of an eventful evening for Pickens, who leads the Steelers in receptions and yards by a large margin.
Pickens additionally dragged Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis to the bottom by his face masks on the sport’s remaining play and slammed his helmet so onerous on the finish of a scoreless Pittsburgh possession that it bounced over the bench.
“You realize when it’s third down and also you don’t convert, (you are annoyed),” Pickens stated. “Loads of followers (have been) mad as effectively.”
Pickens performed a career-low 34 snaps, which coach Mike Tomlin described as load administration. Pickens sat alone on the bench for prolonged stretches within the second half. Injured veteran working again Cordarrelle Patterson was one of many few teammates who checked on him.
“You’ve got undoubtedly bought to really feel for him,” Steelers quarterback Justin Fields stated. “He is simply passionate in regards to the sport. … The most important factor is simply being affected person and him ready for the ball to come back his manner as a result of, on the finish of the day, defenses know that we’re making an attempt to get him the ball.”
Pickens stated he had no challenge with the dip in enjoying time and put the duty on the scheme put collectively by first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
“It isn’t on me,” Pickens stated. “It is all as much as Artwork.”
Smith downplayed his choice, stating he restricted snaps for gamers reminiscent of working again Derrick Henry and extensive receiver A.J. Brown when he was serving as offensive coordinator in Tennessee to maintain them contemporary.
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Whereas Tomlin lamented his staff’s incapacity to create “splash” performs downfield — Pittsburgh’s longest achieve in opposition to the Cowboys was a 21-yard reception by Pickens — Smith does not suppose limiting Pickens’ enjoying time additionally limits the Steelers’ skill to gobble up yardage in large chunks.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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