George Pickens

Pickens grew up in the Birmingham area after being born in Hoover, Alabama. His older brother, Chris Humes, played cornerback for the Arkansas State Red Wolves and later the Oakland Raiders. After Pittsburgh drafted Pickens in 2022, the brothers moved into an apartment together in Pittsburgh.

Pickens drew widespread attention during the second night of the 2022 NFL draft when he watched his selection from his family's living room while wearing a white T-shirt, blue basketball shorts, and a ski mask. The outfit became a viral meme. Pickens later explained that he had been frustrated after not being selected in the first round and had chosen a more relaxed look for the second day.

At Hoover High School, Pickens recorded 69 receptions for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. He also played in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game and was rated a five-star recruit. Pickens initially committed to Auburn before changing his commitment to Georgia, where he enrolled after graduating from Hoover High School in 2019.

Pickens made an immediate impact for Georgia, leading the team as a freshman in 2019 with 49 receptions, 727 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. He followed with 36 receptions for 513 yards and six touchdowns in Georgia's shortened 2020 season.

A torn ACL in spring 2021 caused Pickens to miss most of his junior season. He returned for Georgia's final four games and made a crucial 52-yard reception against Alabama in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game. The play moved Georgia into Alabama territory for the first time and helped set up a field goal in Georgia's victory.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft with the 52nd overall pick. He scored his first professional touchdown against the Miami Dolphins and caught a game-winning touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders late in the season. Pickens finished his rookie year with 52 receptions for 801 yards and four touchdowns.

Pickens became one of the Steelers' leading big-play receivers in 2023. He recorded 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns, including a 195-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. His 18.1 yards per reception led the NFL that season.

In 2024, Pickens was listed as Pittsburgh's top wide receiver on the depth chart. He caught 58 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season, then added five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round. That playoff game was his final appearance as a Steeler.

The Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys on May 7, 2025, in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. He joined a Cowboys offense that also featured quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Pickens produced career highs in 2025 with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. His notable games included a two-touchdown, 134-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers, a 168-yard game against the Carolina Panthers, and a 146-yard outing against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The season earned Pickens his first Pro Bowl selection and AP Second-Team All-Pro honors. He also won Offensive MVP for his performance in the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens in 2026, and he signed the tag on April 29.