BroBible
ESPN’s First Take hosts were forced to apologize after being duped by a fake George Pickens update on the air. The crew backtracked after showing an old practice clip that didn’t actually feature the newly added wide receiver.
The troll attempt from a Dallas Cowboys social media account worked to perfection. The sports network’s gaffe is now going viral online.
The Pittsburgh Steelers unloaded the wideout for draft picks this past offseason. Locker room issues became a growing concern.
Pickens has always been talented. He arrived at the University of Georgia campus with a five-star rating. He racked up over 1,200 yards in his first two college seasons before an ACL tear derailed his junior year.
Still, he boasted a first-round NFL Draft grade in 2022. That grade, however, was based on talent alone. His outlook as a potential distraction led to a second-round selection.
Pickens was suspended in 2019 for fighting during a game against Georgia Tech. His lack of discipline followed to the professional level.
Multiple incidents arose while in Pittsburgh, ranging from taunting fines to usage complaints to a fight with the Cleveland Browns.
The organization cut ties in 2025. The Cowboys are hoping to see an attitude adjustment in the season to come.
Dallas reported for training camp this week. Initial reviews on their new pass catcher were overwhelmingly positive. He even caught a long touchdown pass on his first play… Or did he?
First play of Cowboys Training Camp is a Dak Prescott BOMB to George Pickens pic.twitter.com/Vt9WIajpmP
— FergSZN (@FergSZN) July 21, 2025
George Pickens was not the player in the video, posted originally by @FergSZN on X. It was, in fact, Brandin Cooks from a 2023 practice session.
Now, Pickens will don No. 3 with his new squad, the same number Cooks wore in 2023. Still, the network failed to do its research on the clip. It resulted in embarrassment and an apology.
“Quick clean-up on our part,” First Take host Molly Qerim said after seeing the clip go viral. “Earlier, we showed video that we identified as George Pickens at Cowboys training camp. It was not George, so we apologize on that mistake.”
Pickens was still a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers when the original video was taken. Social media quickly reacted to the mistake.
“Espn is desperate for content,” wrote Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr. “They should be ashamed. That was old and a fake. Cowboys haven’t even practiced yet.”
“ESPN is so cooked they took an old video of Brandin Cooks LAST YEAR and thought it was Pickens…. Do better,” another follower posted.
Nevertheless, the Cowboys seem excited about the wideout’s future in Dallas. The social media team recently posted a clip of Pickens running routes with a caption, “Mr. Pickens practices tomorrow.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@dallascowboys/video/7529660659693341983?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7504321962599302702
He should help form a dynamic duo on the outside alongside CeeDee Lamb. It will be...
