In the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected George Pickens from the Georgia Bulldogs. Pickens has flashed other worldly abilities since he stepped onto the training camp field in Latrobe, PA. He is a superior blocker, a contested catch warrior and has made some of the most spectacular catches the NFL has seen this season.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a one handed catch ahead of Martin Emerson Jr. #23 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
When Pickens arrived in Pittsburgh, he ended up with the number 14, instead of his college number 1, which he hoped to wear. The rookie joined The Arthur Moats Experience with Deke on Thursday and discussed the process of uniform selection with the Steelers training staff:
“That’s really the number they gave to me, to be honest,” Pickens told Eric ‘Deke’ Deklaven. “I tried to get number 1, but I think it’s like sacred. I wasn’t tweaking about it; I was like, forget it, might as well.”“That’s a Steelers thing,” Arthur Moats told the rookie. “There is only three retired numbers, but it’s a ton of unofficially retired numbers. Yeah, Gary Anderson, old school kicker.”
The Steelers have only retired three jerseys in the history of the franchise. However, certain numbers just aren’t reissued, and number 1 hasn’t been issued to anyone since Gary Anderson. Anderson is the Steelers’ all-time leading scorer with 1,343 points and he played 13 seasons in Pittsburgh. Pickens might end up as the number one receiver for the Steelers, but he will do it with a different number.
Deklaven asked Pickens if he continued to perform at a high level, if he would revisit an attempt down the road to get his college number:
“Nah, I’ll just see how the situation plays out at that time,” Pickens replied.
The Steelers number retirement policy has come under increasing scrutiny after the unfortunate timing of the Franco Harris ceremony. Harris seemed like he was in good health for a 72-year-old man, but he passed away just three days before his number 32 was set to join Ernie Stautner’s 70 and Joe Greene’s 75 as the only retired numbers for the Steelers.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 14, 1980: (L to R) Linebackers Jack Ham #59 and Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watch the action from the sidelines during a game on September 14, 1980 against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by: Bill Amatucci Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh is starting to celebrate golden anniversaries and the Immaculate Reception was just the first milestone of the 1970’s teams. The Steelers are going to start celebrating the anniversaries of Super Bowl victories and the organization may need to modify its unofficial jersey retirement policy. Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, and Jack Lambert aren’t getting any younger and are all deserving of a ceremony while they are still with us.
Pittsburgh can’t retire everyone’s number. They have already moved on from John Stallworth and Lynn Swann reissuing their numbers several times. Jack Ham’s number 59 was inexplicably reissued twice since his retirement to backup linebackers. Art Rooney II should strongly consider modifying the policy to recognize the truly elite Hall of Famers who wore black and gold.
George Pickens eludes Duron Harmon and the Raiders' secondary for a game-winning touchdown Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. GAELEN MORSE / GETTY IMAGES
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 NFL Draft class is looking like the best overall group in years for the black and gold. The black and gold may have drafted their franchise quarterback for the next decade with Kenny Pickett as the 20th overall pick, but Pickens may be the steal of the draft. He has the potential to not only be the Steelers number one receiver, but a perennial Pro Bowler for the black and gold.
Pickens just won’t wear the number that matches his status on the depth chart. He can stake his own claim on number 14. The most famous 14 in franchise history is more notorious than famous. If Pickens can help the franchise forget that Neil O’Donnell wore the number in Super Bowl XXX with a great career, the unofficial number policy will be well worth it.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should Pittsburgh consider being a little more aggressive with retiring numbers, or do you like the rarity? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
