Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens blasted the officiating after his team’s season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Pickens was seen fuming on the sidelines at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. as the Steelers trailed 31-17 with fewer than five minutes to go in the contest.
George Pickens was looking for a call pic.twitter.com/iz8QjCp15s
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 16, 2024
The prior play is what had Pickens riled up. The Steelers had 4th-and-3 at their own 32 with Pittsburgh’s season virtually hanging in the balance.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph’s pass to Pickens on a slant route was incomplete. The second-year pro was incensed that there was no pass interference called against Bills cornerback Dane Jackson.
Here’s what is sure to be a controversial call. Looks like the officials let the players play on Dane Jackson’s physical play on fourth down. It’s … a bad no-call.#Bills #Steelers pic.twitter.com/TFFeFFfAbD
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) January 16, 2024
Pickens remained critical of the officiating after the game. The Steelers wideout claimed that the refs were on the Bills’ side given the “blatant” calls and non-calls that went in Buffalo’s favor.
“Refs, refs, refs. That’s the only thing that’s really on my mind when [the missed calls are] blatant. … You’re not going to win a game when you’ve got to play the refs and the Buffalo Bills,” said Pickens.
George Pickens absolutely blasts the refs for multiple calls tonight.
“You’re not gonna win a game when you play the refs and the Buffalo Bills. That’s really I feel like happened to us today, to be honest” pic.twitter.com/5v17Y6xe95
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 16, 2024
Pickens caught 5 passes for 50 yards in the contest.
Pickens was far from the only Steeler who turned heads while speaking to the press. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walked out on his press conference before one reporter could even finish her question.
