George Pickens Backing Out of Youth Camp Triggers Severe Criticism from Steelers Fans: “George Pickens Is a POS”

WR George Pickens ghosted a youth football camp in Pittsburgh despite committing to it amid his trade to the Cowboys.

George Pickens Backing Out of Youth Camp Triggers Severe Criticism from Steelers Fans: “George Pickens Is a POS”

George Pickens (Image via IMAGO)

Fans believed George Pickens would start fresh after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys. However, it didn’t take long for Pickens to let them down. The fourth-year wide receiver reportedly failed to keep his promise to attend a youth football camp at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.

After weeks of speculation, the Steelers agreed to trade Pickens to the Cowboys (May 7) and avoided extending his contract. They exchanged a 2027 sixth-round pick in return for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

X updates and various Dallas news outlets highlighted how quickly Pickens created rapport with his Cowboys teammates.

The 24-year-old had managed to avoid controversy until June 25 (Wednesday), when TrueEdge Media, an event planner that organizes youth camps in various cities, released a statement claiming that Pickens would no longer attend their June 28 camp in Pittsburgh despite sending a confirmation e-mail two days (May 9) after his trade to the Cowboys.

We communicated this directly to you via email and text on May 9. Unfortunately, as of last week, TruEdge was notified by George’s team that he has decided to walk back on his word and is no longer interested in attending the camp. Let us be very clear: we are deeply frustrated by this decision and the position it has placed all of us in.

TrueEdge Media stated

The Steelers replaced Pickens with veteran receiver DK Metcalf.

Steelers fans are unhappy with George Pickens ditching youth camp

Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was a mixed bag. He performed like a champion on most game days, but frequently lost his composure, even during minor scuffles. The Steelers grew tired of his shenanigans and, instead of keeping him for another year, decided it was best to part ways.

George Pickens Backing Out of Youth Camp Triggers Severe Criticism from Steelers Fans: "George Pickens Is a POS"
George Pickens (Image via IMAGO)

Just when the Pittsburgh residents had slowly begun to forget about Pickens, the pro bowler gave them his latest jolt by ghosting a youth camp.

Luckily, the kids who enlisted for the camp don’t need to back out. According to the organizers’ website, the Steelers’ tight end Pat Freiermuth had agreed to replace Pickens on the day. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly confirmed the news on Twitter.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth will step in for George Pickens after Pickens backs out of his sold-out youth camp commitment at Highmark Stadium. Pickens initially said he would still attend after getting traded but now has decided not to. Freiermuth now steps in. What a nice gesture by Freiermuth. It wasn’t his responsibility, but he stepped up.

Freiermuth is a fifth-year tight end whom the Steelers drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Since then, he has appeared in 61 games, recording 220 catches for 2190 yards and 18 touchdowns. Freiermuth signed a four-year, $48.4 million extension in September last year.

Pickens played 48 games before the trade. He caught 174 passes for 2841 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Also Read: