Mike Tomlin sends clear message to George Pickens with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver told to ‘grow up’
Following his shenanigans against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Tomlin has called for George Pickens to “grow up.”
The 23-year-old wide receiver played a key role in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 44-38 victory, which kept them atop the AFC North.
However, after being flagged twice for unsportsmanlike behavior, Pickens also almost cost his team.
“He’s just got to grow up, man,” said head coach Tomlin after the game.
“Dude, this is a very emotional game. These divisional contests are important.
“He knows that he has a bullseye on his back because he is George.
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However, he needs to mature. He needs to mature quickly.
With 74 yards on three receptions and a touchdown, Pickens led the Steelers.
However, after scoring, he dropped the ball on Bengals defender Germaine Pratt’s face, earning him a 15-yard penalty.
Later on, he made a gungesture with his right hand.
“The rule of two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls for disqualification really applies to taunting-type acts directed towards an opponent,” referee Shawn Hochuli explained in his report as to why Pickens was not dismissed.
“That was the first of those fouls; he was taunted for tossing the ball at the player in the first half.
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On the other hand, it wasn’t meant as a taunt because it wasn’t aimed at an opponent.
“It’s an unsportsmanlike conduct foul but not considered a taunt that would apply towards disqualification.”
In addition, Pickens can be fined by the NFL for kicking the ball into the stands following a score.
Due to an altercation with Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II last week, the second-round 2022 draft pick has acquired an unwelcome reputation.
He received a fine earlier this season for using the face mask to drag down an opponent and for painting an explicit statement on his eye black.
Pickens, who was ejected in 2022 for a late hit on Tyler Boyd, is no stranger to being a bad boy against the Bengals.
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