The NFL is reportedly looking into the explicit message worn on the eye black of George Pickens during the Steelers’ loss to the Cowboys.
The wide receiver is facing a possible fine after he carried the words ‘Open F***ing Always’ under his eyes for Sunday’s clash with Dallas.
According to ESPN, the league is investigating the Pittsburgh star, a second-round draft pick back in 2022.
NFL rules state that players are banned 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.’
Pickens refused to speak to the media after the game and the following day, having played a career-low 34 snaps against the Cowboys.
The NFL is reportedly looking into the message worn on the eye black of George Pickens
The league is reportedly investigating the Pittsburgh star, a second-round draft pick in 2022
The 23-year-old amassed just 26 yards from three receptions in the 20-17 loss. He has yet to score a touchdown this season for the 3-2 Steelers.
ESPN reports that any punishment for Pickens would be revealed on Saturday, ahead of the Steelers’ game against the Raiders.
Earlier this week, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin insisted he was unaware of Pickens’ eye black.
‘I don’t know what messaging you’re talking about,’ Tomlin said Tuesday. ‘I didn’t have any outlying issue with his effort.’
Back in 2015, Steelers players Cam Heyward and DeAngelo Williams were slapped with fines over messages on their eye black.
Defensive end Cam Heyward was punished for having ‘Iron Head’ – a tribute to his late father – on his eye black, while Williams carried ‘Find the cure’ in honor of breast cancer awareness.
