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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has made a bold proclamation, asserting that he is the best wide receiver in the entire NFL.
In an exclusive interview with Kevin Clark of The Ringer, Pickens revealed his fiery on-field mentality and opened up about his relentless pursuit of success.
Pickens, who was the Steelers’ 2nd round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has quickly made a name for himself in the league with his explosive playmaking abilities.
Last season as a rookie, he showcased his talent by hauling in 52 passes for an impressive 801 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, it seems that those numbers were not enough to satisfy his insatiable hunger for success.
“I love getting the ball, and when I’m not getting the ball, I play angry so the attention is back on me,” Pickens stated passionately during the interview.
“I’m big, I’m fast, low 4.4 [speed], catch radius is crazy. So every time I get out on the field, I do kind of play angry because I should get the ball on every play if you just look at the size and the frame. If I was a coach, I’d just throw to him every time,” Pickens added.
Nevertheless, the young wide receiver acknowledges the reality of the NFL, where game plans are diverse, and spreading the ball around is essential for success.
“But that’s not how the NFL works. So every time I’m out there, that’s why I throw the blocks. I love getting the ball, and when I’m not getting the ball I play angry so the attention is back on me. I basically draw attention to myself,” he explained.
#Steelers WR George Pickens says he's "Angry" on the field when he doesn't get the ball, which is why he's throwing so many highlight type blocks.
"I love getting the ball, and when I’m not getting the ball I play angry so the attention is back on me."
"I’m big, I’m fast, low… pic.twitter.com/iba4mRfNY8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 31, 2023
In his interview, Pickens drew parallels between his on-field abilities and a character from the popular video game Madden NFL. “The stuff that I do, bro, I feel like I’m the best in the whole world,” Pickens exclaimed, comparing himself to a Madden player with 99-speed, 99-blocking, and 99-catching attributes.
“If you want a receiver, you create a player. It’s ‘oh, I’m gonna put his blocking 99, his catching 99, his speed 99.’ That’s me,” Pickens confidently stated, showcasing the self-belief that fuels his performances on the gridiron.
As the 2023 NFL season approaches, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on George Pickens to deliver on his bold claim and back up his words with exceptional on-field performances.
His combination of speed, strength, and passion for the game could potentially elevate him to the elite echelons of wide receivers in the NFL.