Steelers’ George Pickens Fined by NFL for ‘Open F–king Always’ Eye Black vs. Cowboys

Zach BacharContributor IOctober 12, 2024

Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was fined $10,231 by the NFL for displaying a “personal message” on his eye black, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

During the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, Pickens’ eye black contained the words “Open F–king Always.”

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor previously reported on Wednesday that the league was reviewing the message for a fine regarding a violation of the NFL’s uniform policy.

The league’s rulebook states that players are prohibited from “wearing, displaying or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office,” per Pryor.

Pickens revealed that he didn’t know about the NFL’s uniform policy before displaying the message, telling reporters that “it’s just eye black” on Thursday.

Brooke Pryor @bepryorGeorge Pickens said he wasn’t aware of the league’s uniform policy prohibiting unapproved personal messages.

It was pointed out that Cam Heyward was previously fined for writing his dad’s name in his eye black, Pickens said:

“Years ago? When I wasn’t in the league? So nah.” pic.twitter.com/8RpCzZw37f

It was a costly week for Pickens, as he was fined an additional $10,230 for grabbing the facemask of Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis at the end of the game (via CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones). Lewis also received a $11,255 fine for taunting the receiver before the incident.

Pickens was targeted seven times against Dallas, catching three passes for 27 yards. He was on the field for just 34 snaps, the lowest mark of his career.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t concerned with Pickens’ lack of playing time.

“As I mentioned after the game … that’s just a snap management thing and an effort to be more productive in today’s game regarding analytics, we do it across a lot of positions, particularly when you look at the totality of a 17-game schedule,” Tomlin said on Tuesday, via Pryor.

Pickens started his 2024 season strong prior to his quiet game against Dallas, recording 20 catches for 284 yards through the first four weeks of the year. He hasn’t been able to find the end zone this season after catching five touchdown passes in 2023, though.

NFL @NFLFields finds Pickens for 38 yards!

📺: #PITvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/TMBYRcSlNq

The former second-round pick will look to get back on track as the Steelers face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. ET.