Latest news with #GeorgePickensYouthFootballCamp
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Company walks back 'inappropriate' criticism of Cowboys WR George Pickens over youth camp
The company organizing the George Pickens Youth Football Camp has walked back its criticism of the former Steelers receiver for canceling his participation at the event. Headlines out of Pittsburgh on Thursday blasted the often-mercurial wideout for backing out of the camp, a commitment he reportedly said he would honor even after being traded to the Cowboys in early May. But in an email sent to the families of camp registrants earlier this week, the company was rather colorful in explaining how Pickens had "decided to walk back on his word" and went on to trash him for his "disappointing lack of accountability" and "disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him." Now TruEdge Sports calls the tone of that email "inappropriate" and says their statement "did not accurately reflect the full scope of communication or the context surrounding the event." The company has revealed that it was communication only with Pickens's representatives- and not with Pickens himself- that "led to confusion about the camp's status and future direction." News of Pickens's cancellation- breaking just a couple days before the camp was to be held- made the development seem like the receiver was flaking out at the last minute, but according to their own email, TruEdge actually learned of the change in plans sometime the previous week. That did not stop the company from painting Pickens as the irresponsible party who had left everyone high and dry with next to no warning, a suggestion they now say they regret. "Regrettably, the language used in our original message mischaracterized George's original intent and actions. While our frustrations stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the event, it was never our intention to publicly question George's professionalism, integrity, or commitment to the community. We now understand that the tone and implications of our message were not only inappropriate but inconsistent with our values as an organization." Pickens has been working with his new Cowboys teammates as part of the official offseason program and was also spotted in social media posts just this week as being one of the offensive playmakers attending quarterback Dak Prescott's annual retreat. In its follow-up email to camp attendees, TruEdge acknowledges that the 24-year-old, who is entering a contract year, has been "navigating a significant career transition during this time and that his team kept open lines of communication with us." The camp has been rescheduled for July 20 in Pittsburgh, with other Steelers players vowing to attend in Pickens's place. That will be the day Pickens and his new Cowboys teammates report to training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
NBC Sports
28-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
TruEdge Sports backs off in its criticism of George Pickens over youth camp cancellation
Earlier this week, TruEdge Sports postponed a youth football camp that was supposed to feature former Steelers (now Cowboys) receiver George Pickens. The email sent to those who purchased tickets for the camp included strong language regarding Pickens's cancellation. Now, TruEdge Sports has sent a fresh email clarifying — and apologizing for — the prior message. 'At TruEdge Sports, we take pride in fostering strong relationships with the athletes, families, and communities we serve,' the company said. 'Recently, a statement was issued regarding our scheduled youth camp with George Pickens that did not accurately reflect the full scope of communications or the context surrounding the event. 'At no point did George communicate with us directly, and our communications with George's representatives led to confusion about the camp's status and future direction. 'Regrettably, the language used in our original message mischaracterized George's intent and actions. While our frustrations stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the event, it was never our intention to publicly question George's professionalism, integrity, or commitment to the community. We now understand that the tone and implications of our message were not only inappropriate but inconsistent with our values as an organization. 'We recognize that he was navigating a significant career transition during this time and that his team kept open lines of communication with us.' That's a far cry from the prior comments made by TruEdge Sports. The earlier message said that Pickens 'decided to walk back on his word' to attend the camp, and that his 'sudden decision to back out not only reflects a disappointing lack of accountability, but also shows a disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him.' 'Let us say again,' the prior message concluded, 'we are incredibly frustrated by George Pickens' lack of professionalism and his decision to abandon the commitment he personally confirmed after his trade.' TruEdge is now singing a very different tune, presumably after hearing from Pickens's camp — and possibly after being threatened with potential litigation for the public criticism it heaped upon him. While the new message isn't as clear as it could have been, it seems as if TruEdge Sports is saying it had gotten the facts wrong regarding Pickens's handling of the situation. Still, the new message continues to omit an open-ended offer to fully refund the payment made for the 'George Pickens Youth Football Camp' on June 28, which has now become a camp featuring Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on July 20. After sending a message that tries to make things right as to Pickens, here's hoping TruEdge Sports will soon be sending a message that makes things right as to those who paid for the camp that was supposed to happen on Saturday.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pickens picks Prescott over promise to Pittsburgh kids: Cowboys WR cancels camp for new QB
#Cowboys Dak Prescott and the offensive skill players getting some offseason work in, for what could be their annual retreat with @ the tagged photos so far, KaVontae Turpin, Jake Ferguson, and George Pickens were there.I'm sure more names will pop up. There's a… George Pickens is catching flak in Pittsburgh again, even as he's catching passes from his new quarterback. The wide receiver, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in early May after three volatile seasons with the Steelers, was scheduled to be the star attraction at the George Pickens Youth Football Camp at Pittsburgh's Highmark Stadium this coming weekend. Despite previously telling campers that he would still attend the event even after changing teams, Pickens has now decided not to participate at all, according to an email sent to attendees' families this week. The camp has been postponed until July 20 and will now feature Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuith and possibly other Steelers players. The organizers are not offering refunds. Though he has not addressed his cancellation publicly, Pickens is reportedly getting work in with his new Cowboys teammates at the annual retreat organized by quarterback Dak Prescott. There are two ways to look at this, depending primarily on which of the two fanbases you pledge allegiance to. For the families of those youth campers, there is obvious frustration. That is reflected loud and clear in the email sent to them by the camp organizers, who explained in breathless detail how Pickens "has decided to walk back on his word" and trashed him repeatedly for his "disappointing lack of accountability" and "disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him." Steelers fans are no doubt chalking it up as just one more reason why they're better off without the mercurial wideout. Before this, they were merely glad to see him sent packing; now they can feel justified in actively despising him forever. But the cold, hard truth is this: Pickens is heading into a massively important contract year, not to mention his first campaign with Prescott and the Cowboys as a featured component of head coach Brian Schottenheimer's new-look offense. Skipping the so-called "Dak Pack Summit"- for any reason- only costs him valuable reps and a chance to gel with his new quarterback and teammates before the stakes get very high, starting in Week 1. Pickens may well have intended to keep his camp commitment when he first told families two days following his trade, but his schedule, understandably, changed once he got situated with his new employer. Canceling on kids at your previous stop and on families who have paid money is unfortunate, but the 24-year-old has a new team and a new city now... not to mention a new chance at earning a life-changing second NFL contract. Steelers Nation may be mad. But how would the Cowboys and their fans view it if news broke that Pickens bailed on offseason work with the entire Dallas offense to fly back to Pittsburgh just to sign some autographs and collect an appearance check? Returning to Pittsburgh would have made for a nice footnote to the time Pickens spent there; a schedule conflict brought on by his new job shouldn't immediately cast him as some sort of villain. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
NBC Sports
26-06-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
George Pickens bails on Pittsburgh youth football camp, and Pat Freiermuth takes his place
Receiver George Pickens has left Pittsburgh, but he's still making headlines there. Word began to emerge on Wednesday that Pickens had canceled his planned appearance at a youth football camp set for Saturday, June 28. The company that organized the event emailed the families of registered attendees to explain that Pickens, after confirming he'd still participate following his trade to the Cowboys, decided not to participate. The email, which goes out of its way to repeatedly dump on Pickens, explains that the event has been rescheduled for July 20, with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (and potentially other Steelers players) replacing Pickens. While the email from the company sponsoring the event (and charging at least $150 per child for the four-hour camp) has offered a refund for the cost of a Pickens autograph, free autographs from the Steelers players who attend, a full refund for the 'Family Experience' package, and a 25-percent credit toward any future camp conducted by the company, one specific thing wasn't offered — a full and complete refund. Given that the camp was delayed from Saturday, June 18 to Sunday, July 20, it's possible that the kids and/or their families can't make it on July 20. It's also possible that, given their registration for the 'George Pickens Youth Football Camp,' they don't want to attend if Pickens isn't there. Our free advice to the company? Do a little less crapping on Pickens and a little more offering of a full and complete refund to everyone who gave you their money. Also, the company admits in its email that it knew about the cancellation last week. It didn't alert the people who had purchased tickets until three days before the event, after it had lined up Freiermuth as a replacement. Again, offer everyone a full refund. You've changed the date by three weeks, and you've replaced Pickens with Not Pickens. Everyone who bought a ticket to the George Pickens Youth Football Camp should be given a chance to get their money back. And if that causes the company to lose money, they can take it up with Pickens. If they got him to sign a binding contract to participate in the event.
