George Pickens Made One Mistake In Cowboys Introduction

FRISCO - George Pickens said all the right things Thursday in his introductory press conference.

Almost, that is.

The new Dallas Cowboys receiver with the great talent and shaky reputation was all smiles at The Star in meeting owner Jerry Jones, head coach Brian Schottenheimer and his teammates for the first time.

Of quarterback Dak Prescott, Pickens used "smart" and "prolific."

On receiver partner CeeDee Lamb: "Dynamic." He also beamed with defenses not being able to double-team both of the weapons.

Of joining the Cowboys, he used words such as "swag" and "mojo." Not sure we've ever connected those to Schottenheimer, but to each his own.

Pickens successfully talked the talk. Now he's got to walk the walk.

Jerry has helped rehabilitate receiver reputations before. Keyshawn Johnson, Terrell Owens and Dez Bryant all came to Dallas with baggage and produced productive seasons.

After a couple of seasons of outbursts and antics, Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers finally gave up on Pickens.

After an ugly two-game stretch in 2023 in which he caught only three passes for 21 yards, Pickens posted "Free me!" on his social media and scrubbed any mentions of the Steelers. He later explained the move had "nothing to do with football." Later that year he was roundly criticized for a lack of effort, specifically not blocking for running back Jaylen Warren near the goal line. Pickens claimed he was trying to avoid injury.

He's had multiple shouting altercations with fans at games. He's been fined several times for unsportsmanlike conduct, including last year's game against the Cowboys when he violently grabbed the facemask of cornerback Jourdan Lewis. And in Week 17 he arrived late for a key game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Said Tomlin about Pickens late last year, "He's just got to grow up, man. This is an emotional game. He's got a target on his back because he's George; he understands that. But he's got to grow up. He's got to grow up in a hurry."

The great thing about sports is that fans are always willing to ready to give second chances. Pickens arrives with a clean slate. Catch the ball. Help the Cowboys to the playoffs. He'll be a hero, no longer a heel.

“I can’t really change anyone’s opinion of me personally," Pickens said. "I just continue to grow. I feel like everybody in the world has to grow. I’m trying to build a winning culture, which they already have with the Cowboys. Just glad to be joining it.”

This was Pickens' one misstep. Change his actions and, indeed, he will change fans' opinions.

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