The NFL will review the fight between Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II at the end of Thursday’s 24-19 Browns victory at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, according to a report by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Newsome was covering Pickens into the end zone on the final play of the game, a Hail Mary heave from Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson that was easily batted down short of the goal line by another Browns defender.
But Newsome and Pickens continued their battle through the back of the end zone and all the way to the wall at the west end of the stadium, where Pickens was bent over into the crowd.
George Pickens fighting Greg Newsome during the Hail Mary LMFAO pic.twitter.com/1QT1sN1w5o
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) November 22, 2024
Pickens declined to comment on the incident after the game, saying “nothing,” when asked what happened between him and Newsome.
Newsome chose to respond via social media. “Fake tough guy,” he wrote on X with three crying laughing emojis.
Fake tough guy 😂😂😂
— Greg Newsome II (@gnewsii) November 22, 2024
Neither player was penalized, despite the officials being involved in breaking them up. The NFL could decide to levy fines or suspensions for the incident upon video review.
Pickens could be considered a repeat offender. He was fined $11,255 for grabbing the facemask of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joudan Lewis after the final play of that Steelers loss back in Week 5.
Pickens was also fined $10,231 for writing “Open Fucking Always” on his eye black in that game and $16,883 for unnecessary roughness for holding onto the facemask of Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St. Juste on Nov. 10.
Being fined for his actions is nothing new to Pickens. He reportedly totaled over $200,000 in fines, between the NFL and the Steelers, in 2023.