Steelers' George Pickens Fined for Unsportsmanlike Conduct Violations vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been fined a total of $20,462 for two unsportsmanlike conduct violations during last Sunday’s Week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL announced on Saturday.

The NFL fined Pickens $10,231 for both “taunting” and a “violent gesture,” apparently referring to him extending two fingers in the shape of a finger gun after a third-quarter catch.

Pickens recorded three catches for 74 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ 44-38 victory.

He earned 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties following two of the catches, the first after officials said he threw the ball in the direction of a group of Bengals defenders, and the other when he celebrated a reception with the finger-gun gesture.

The second penalty occurred just as the Steelers reached the Bengals’ 13-yard line, pushing Pittsburgh out of the red zone. The possession ultimately ended in a blocked field goal.

Pickens said after the game that referees “got the gesture wrong” and that he was celebrating the first down.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin meanwhile expressed frustration with Pickens in his own postgame interviews.

“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin said after the win. “It’s an emotional game. These divisional games are big. He’s got a target on his back because he’s George, he understands that. But he’s got to grow up, and he’s got to grow up in a hurry.”

The game followed Pickens’ antics during a Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns, during which Pickens grappled with Greg Newsome after an attempted Hail Mary pass fell short in the end zone. Neither Pickens nor Newsome were fined after the incident.

Pickens was previously hit with a $16,883 fine for unnecessary roughness after grabbing an opponent’s facemask during a Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders.

The third-year wideout, who currently leads the Steelers with 55 catches and 850 receiving yards, will return to action on Sunday during an afternoon home game against the Cleveland Browns.