Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver hit with huge fine

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Geroge Pickens was fined $20,462 for his two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Cincinnati Bengals. On Friday, Pickens said that he was not sure what he had to do for those plays to not be called penalties, as he was doing what other wide receivers have done.

“I’m out here making plays. Doing the same celebration that every other receiver is doing. So, I’m not sure,” Pickens said.

On the first play, Pickens dropped the ball directly on Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt after the play. That was called a foul, and Pickens seemed beside himself when it was called.

On the second play, Pickens made a big catch down the sideline and proceeded to head to the middle of the field and fired an imaginary gun in the direction of the crowd. The NFL has made it a directive to crack down on what they deem ‘violent gestures’ in the game, and that includes celebrations such as that one that includes a gun.

Despite this, Pickens has only been called for three penalties this season. He is embroiled in what semes to be a tense beef with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome before Sunday’s game. Pickens is questionable to play with a hamstring injury.

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