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TruEdge Sports apologizes for 'inappropriate' tone in initial George Pickens camp statement

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz06/27/25NickSchultz_7
George Pickens
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

After TruEdge Sports released a statement this week saying George Pickens backed out of a youth football camp, the organization apologized. It said the initial email had an “inappropriate” tone and “mischaracterized” the situation.

According to The Pat McAfee Show’s Mark Kaboly, Pickens said he initially planned on attending the sold-out camp despite being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys. A Reddit user then posted the full email from TruEdge, which indicated Pickens reversed course and would not be there. Pat Freiermuth will take his place, per the organization.

In the email, TruEdge said Pickens “decided to walk back on his word” and will not attend the camp. Friday, the organization said the email did not show the full context of the situation and it understands the former Georgia star’s situation after the trade.

“At TruEdge Sports, we take pride in fostering strong relationships with the athletes, families, and communities we serve,” the statement read. “Recently, a statement was issued regarding our youth camp with George Pickens that did not accurately reflect the full scope of communication 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.”

The Steelers traded Pickens last month as part of a wide receiver room overhaul. Pittsburgh will receive a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick as part of the deal, which also sees a 2026 sixth-rounder head to Dallas.

Pickens appeared in 14 games last season as he missed some time with an injury. During that time, he hauled in 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns as a key piece of the Steelers’ passing attack. That came after an impressive second year in the NFL in 2023 when he had a career-high 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. His 18.1 yards per reception led the league that season.