The Pittsburgh Steelers fell at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, 37-30, on Sunday in what was another heated battle between these two AFC North rivals.
There was one play near the end of the game that looked to go a step to far, however, and NFL fans were not impressed. It also lead to Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens being ejected from the game.
It all happened on an onside kick attempt by the Steelers in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Cincinnati’s Tyler Boyd fielded the kick and then Pickens went in helmet first to touch him down. It sure didn’t feel like he needed to lead with the helmet here – a simple tap with hand would have done the job – but that’s what he did:
#Steelers WR George Pickens was ejected for this hit on Tyler Boyd after he recovered an onside kick: pic.twitter.com/OfGVDgl6of
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2022
NFL fans had reactions.
Dirty play by George Pickens there that's going to cost him some $$$$
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 21, 2022
Suspension or gtfo @NFL https://t.co/anuW9eMowK
— SteelGuitarJunkie (@Johnson1980Aj) November 21, 2022
Took the officials 5 minutes to do it too “do we really want to throw out a Steelers player?” https://t.co/OSO65Js3Hp
— TDawg (@TDawg8509) November 21, 2022
Suspend him next week too. https://t.co/eFjYc7gvGk
— BENGALS TALK 🗣 (@BengalsTalk) November 21, 2022
This play was dirty football. 😏 https://t.co/wMvzPs3qwT
— TB (@SenrabG) November 21, 2022
WTF was this https://t.co/dnGq1RzI3i
— Chris Batsche (@CBatsche1) November 21, 2022
Cheap headshot https://t.co/jwlztjkBrx
— Billy (@BJames1969) November 21, 2022
garbage 🗑 https://t.co/8ELREm7yaf
— lauren 🐯🌰 (@findinpeace) November 21, 2022
George Pickens just got thrown out of the game. Went in helmet to helmet on Boyd while he was on his back. Dirty play, no question. #Steelers @937theFan
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 21, 2022
Dirty AF https://t.co/Hh4IAbuslu
— Bald (@D_SAUC3Y) November 21, 2022
Super lame https://t.co/whfxHgchAL
— dean (@deanisreal_) November 21, 2022
At least they caught one of these late hits. https://t.co/kapzEUydye
— Halosfire #FFXIV #GuildWars2 Call 9-1-Won (@Halosfire1) November 21, 2022
