### Steelers' George Pickens Under NFL Scrutiny for Explicit Eye Black Message

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is facing possible discipline from the NFL after displaying an explicit message on his eye black during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the league is assessing whether to impose a fine for Pickens' "Open F--king Always" message, which might violate uniform regulations.

NFL rules prohibit players from showing personal messages through writing or images without prior approval from the League office, Pryor noted. Historically, the league has not hesitated to fine players who breach this rule. For instance, Steelers’ Cam Heyward received a fine in 2015 for his "Iron Head" message, a tribute to his late father. That same week, DeAngelo Williams was fined for honoring his deceased family members with "Find the Cure" on his eye black, and William Gay faced a fine for wearing purple cleats to raise domestic violence awareness.

Pickens' message was more personal and seemed aimed at his team, likely reflecting his frustrations. The 23-year-old has yet to score a touchdown this season and has not lived up to the expectations set by his first two years where he showed much promise. His minimal presence on the field, with just 34 snaps and a performance that saw only three catches for 26 yards, drew scrutiny from fans and analysts alike during the 20-17 defeat to the Cowboys, leaving Pittsburgh with a 3-2 record.

As the NFL reviews Pickens' actions, it's clear that his attempt to make a statement may result in yet another fine for the Steelers' franchise, which has already experienced several similar incidents over the years.