The Pittsburgh Steelers are fairly used to not getting many calls. TJ Watt gets held on nearly every play, but very rarely does it get called for the outside linebacker. In Pittsburgh's most recent game against the New York Giants, the team had a questionable call when George Pickens had a touchdown catch called back in the back of the end zone. It was originally called a touchdown on the field, but after the referees consulted with replay assist, they could quickly tell that the receiver didn't get both of his feet inbounds.
Pickens seemed to have plenty of room in the back of the end zone to complete the catch, but defensive back Deonte Banks hit Pickens which forced him to come down out of bounds. The wide receiver's right foot hit the ground inbounds twice, but his left foot didn't come down until he was out of bounds.
This was the main reason the touchdown was called back immediately. New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson had a similar catch on Thursday Night Football. The catch was more impressive, as he went up with one hand.
These catches were similar in the fact that Wilson only had his left leg come down in bounds. His left food made contact with the ground, and then the referees deemed that his shin came down inbounds as well. Obviously this made people on social media question the referees after seeing a similar catch get ruled incomplete on Monday Night Football.
These catches each followed the NFL's rule book. Technically, the same foot hitting twice isn't a catch, it has to be each foot hitting inbounds. Wilson's was ruled a catch because the shin is another part of the body. If a receiver gets their knee down inbounds, it is a catch, which was essentially the case for Wilson. Pickens obviously had a problem with this, and he took to social media almost immediately.
"But that's a catch. Lmfaooo NFL be having vendettas toward certain players."
Pickens being upset is understandable, they were both similar catches. However, the result of each was correct according to the league's rule of what a catch is. The Steelers were forced to settle for a field goal on the drive that this occurred, and Pickens' quarterback didn't agree with the call after the game. Pickens continued on his Instagram story to make sure he got his point across.
"Never forget I said this."
The third-year wide receiver believes the NFL has something against him, and he is probably right. The way he has failed to show adequate effort on the field certainly doesn't make him a league-favorite. Pickens calling the league out on social media probably won't help his problems either.
Steelers' George Pickens Has Been Unlocked With Russell Wilson At Quarterback
Pickens had some good games earlier in the year, but he has really begun to produce with Russell Wilson as his quarterback. He caught a touchdown in the duo's first game together in Week 7, and he found the end zone twice in Week 8, but both scores were called back. It is clear Wilson trusts Pickens, and he gives him plenty of opportunities down the field.
The wide receiver's production will continue to grow as the season goes along, and especially as he gets more comfortable with his new quarterback. He should have more than enough opportunities to make up for the lost touchdowns on Monday night.
