Even after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver George Pickens was all set to host the George Pickens Youth Football Camp, which was scheduled for Saturday, June 28 in Pittsburgh. Then he pulled out.
In a Tuesday email to families that had registered for the camp, TruEdge Sports — the company that coordinates youth camps for several NFL and college athletes — notified families that Pickens had ‘walked back on his word.’ The former Steelers’ representation notified TruEdge that he was ‘no longer interested in attending the camp’ with his name on it.
In the email, TruEdge Sports told families that they had reached out to confirm Pickens’ participation shortly after his trade to Dallas was announced. At the time, they wrote, they ‘were promptly assured that George remained committed to the camp and intended to show up for the families who had registered.’
Instead, a couple of weeks before the day of the camp, Pickens informed TruEdge that he’d no longer be attending.
‘Let us be very clear: we are deeply frustrated by this decision and the position it has placed all of us in,’ TruEdge wrote in their email.
‘Our team at TruEdge was fully prepared to host a camp this Saturday because we were led to believe George would follow through on his commitment. 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.’
TruEdge’s email was not all bad news. The company went on to say that they were committed to holding a youth camp in Pittsburgh over the summer, though it would be postponed to July.
TruEdge also said they were able to find an NFL player to replace Pickens: Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. The company added that they were also in talks with multiple other Steelers players to make appearances at the camp in late July, since it now nearly overlaps with the start of Pittsburgh’s preseason training camp. All campers who attend the event during its new date will receive autographs from every player making an appearance.
The Steelers confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Freiermuth would be replacing Pickens at the camp. Both the Cowboys — Pickens’ new team — and TruEdge Sports declined requests for comment.
USA TODAY Sports also reached out to Pickens’ agent, who did not immediately provide a statement on his behalf.