Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver, George Pickens is entering his third season in the NFL. Drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens made an immediate impact in his rookie season with 52 receptions for 801 yards and four touchdowns. Despite a challenging offensive system and subpar quarterback play in his second season, he improved his stats, catching 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
Pickens has shown incredible potential and an ability to make difficult catches. However, he has occasionally stirred up trouble in the media. This offseason, Pittsburgh traded away Diontae Johnson, positioning Pickens as the team's lone star wide receiver for the first time in his career. Steelers fans are eagerly anticipating a breakout season from Pickens in 2024.
The Cincinnati Bengals, longtime rivals of the Steelers, once had a really great wide receiver in Chris Henry. Henry was an exceptional talent, but tragically, his life was cut short at 26 when he fell from a pickup truck and sustained fatal injuries. His legacy, however, continues through his son, Chris Henry Jr., a 6'6" wide receiver in the class of 2026 who has committed to Ohio State. Henry Jr. is ranked as the second-best prospect in his class.
In an interview with Overtime, it was revealed that Henry Jr. models his game after Pickens, creating a poignant full-circle moment for Pickens, who grew up idolizing Henry Jr.'s father.
"It feels good to me personally, for like the specific person being him, 'cause I used to watch his pops at West Virginia, like he*** long ago," Pickens told Overtime.
Henry was a standout wide receiver at West Virginia University. In 2004, he started seven games for the Mountaineers, catching 52 passes for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns. After the 2004 season, Henry declared for the NFL Draft and was selected by the Bengals in the third round.
Pickens mentioned that he grew up watching Henry at WVU, though he likely meant watching highlights, as Pickens was born in 2001. Henry left WVU in 2004 and was drafted in 2005. Nevertheless, hearing Henry Jr. say he models his game after Pickens was a shocking full-circle moment, as Pickens himself had modeled his game after his dad.
"Like, you would have to actually be knowing football, you feel me, to know about his pops. So l used to watch his pops he***, so for him to model his game after me, I respect it a lot. I kind of model my game after his pops. That's what's kind of crazy. That is crazy."
Pickens was right about how talented a wide receiver Henry was. Henry's former WVU teammate and Bengals player, Adam "Pacman" Jones, adopted Henry's son, Henry Jr. With a promising career ahead, it's a touching moment that Henry Jr. models his game after Pickens.
Steelers And The Entire Football World Mourns The Death Of Chris Henry
While the Bengals and Steelers have fierce rivalries on the field, that animosity doesn't extend to life off the field, and Henry's legacy endures. The football community continues to mourn Henry's tragic loss, and his son is eager to carry on the family name.
Despite football often being a divisive and violent game, fan bases unite to support Henry Jr. and cheer for him to honor his father's legacy. It's heartwarming to see Pickens react to Henry Jr. looking up to him.
