A former Pittsburgh Steelers WR causes a commotion on the sidelines in the aftermath of an incident involving controversial and racist abuse..
The Pittsburgh Steelers have navigated a season rife with drama, yet find themselves in contention for an AFC Wildcard spot, a surprising scenario given the challenges they’ve faced, including the utilization of Mason Rudolph as their third quarterback of the year.
The Steelers’ history is no stranger to controversy, often having a wide receiver who becomes a disruptive force on the sidelines and in the locker room, grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. Though the days of dealing with Antonio Brown’s antics may seem like a distant memory in Pittsburgh, the team has encountered new challenges this season, particularly with second-year wide receiver George Pickens.
After the Steelers secured a 20-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans on November 2nd, George Pickens expressed his frustration on social media following a lackluster two-catch, -1-yard performance. This wasn’t an isolated incident; Pickens had previously used social media to voice discontent. In the aftermath of the team’s disheartening 30-7 loss to the 49ers on opening night, Pickens liked an Instagram comment that highlighted the struggles at the quarterback position. In response to these actions, head coach Mike Tomlin met with Pickens before the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, acknowledging improvement but also recognizing the need for continued growth.
It seems that since Antonio Brown’s departure, the Steelers have been grappling with a string of dramatic wide receivers, with George Pickens being the latest in line.
Another wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, has also faced internal challenges within the team this season. Reports surfaced that Johnson was “held back” by rookie tackle Broderick Jones during an altercation with a Pittsburgh Steelers coach, an incident occurring in the team’s second game against the Cleveland Browns on November 19th.
The subsequent week, during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Diontae Johnson found himself entangled in more drama. Running back Jaylin Warren fumbled the ball near Johnson during a Steelers offensive drive, and Johnson was observed walking near the live ball, displaying a seeming lack of effort in the midst of a critical play. Despite these internal challenges, Coach Tomlin has managed to keep the team together, and Pickens excelled in the recent must-win game against the Bengals.
Meanwhile, Antonio Brown, who has been absent from the NFL since his public meltdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continues to attract attention for all the wrong reasons. Despite his absence from the league, Brown remains a controversial figure, ensuring that his off-field behavior remains in the spotlight.
