Cleveland, Ohio — Tensions flared during the postgame of the recent Thursday night matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, with a notable confrontation between Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II. During a media briefing, Pickens downplayed the incident, repeatedly stating he was present just to avoid being fined.
The altercation unfolded on the final Hail Mary attempt of the game, which the Browns won 24-19. As the play developed, Pickens and Newsome collided, ending up on the sidelines where Pickens appeared to grab Newsome by the facemask, forcefully throwing him into the barrier. Newsome countered, resulting in an on-field struggle that officials had to break up.
In postgame comments, Newsome reflected on the confrontation, emphasizing the need to defend himself. Despite the heated exchange, both players avoided any fines related to the incident, which was confirmed when neither appeared on the NFL’s Week 12 fine list. However, fines were issued to others involved in the game, including Browns safety Grant Delpit for taunting and other penalties incurred during play.
The postgame exchanges did not stop on the field. Pickens criticized the Browns’ performance, calling them "not a good team," while Newsome labeled him a "fake tough guy" in a retort on social media.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin commented on the events, suggesting that the Browns’ actions disrupted Pickens’ ability to contribute in crucial moments. With a rematch set for next Sunday in Pittsburgh, both teams are likely to carry the heightened emotions into their next encounter, signaling that the rivalry is far from over.
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Photo credit www.cleveland.com
