The Dallas Cowboys are not avoiding getting involved in any kind of controversy every week. Following their surprising 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football, an on-field situation drew heavy scrutiny among fans.
In a viral video, we can see an exchange involving quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver George Pickens. On a serious attempt down the field, Prescott delivered a pass to Pickens, but the receiver seemingly let the ball go instead of catching it. Social media immediately ignited.
The viral clip: “Blatantly refusing”
. In the clip, Prescott attempted to connect with Pickens, but the receiver appeared to give a minimal, “lackluster effort,” watching the ball as it descended and landed near his feet without making any move to try grab it.
This instant lack of hustle was interpreted by many viewers as Pickens “blatantly refusing” to catch the ball, being for some a play way more damaging than just an incomplete pass.
An important voice for the NFL speaks up
The controversy was quickly amplified by legendary NFL cornerback Richard Sherman, who did not hesitate and gave strong words when assessing Pickens’ demeanor during the game. Sherman highlighted the human element of performance, pointing at the need for relentless dedication at the professional level.
“The big story here is George Pickens just looked uninterested in playing football”
The critique was only regarding this specific situation, as he is aware of the talent and discipline Pickens has. Also, with key playmakers, such as CeeDee Lamb, reportedly out for the game, the pressure was immense for others to step up, even more for a receiver expected to become a cornerstone of the offense.
For Sherman, he visible dip in motivation was alarming, concluding with a powerful assessment of professional standards:
You can’t just disappear in these games, or else you’re not going to have an impact… That’s just unacceptable
How Pickens intended to play will never be known, but if these kind of situations repeat with the time, it will not be liked by anyone.
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