The Pickens Paradox: Is Steelers WR George Pickens Related To Bengals Legend Carl Pickens? The Truth Behind The NFL’s Most Confusing Family Rumor

The question of whether Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is related to former Cincinnati Bengals star Carl Pickens is one of the most persistent and confusing rumors in the NFL today. For years, the shared surname and position have fueled speculation, especially since George Pickens was drafted into the AFC North, the same division where Carl Pickens made his name in the 1990s. As of the current date, December 14, 2025, a definitive, universally accepted answer remains elusive, with major news outlets publishing conflicting reports that keep the mystery alive for fans and media alike.

The confusion stems from a mix of unverified fan theories and contradictory reports from credible news sources, creating a 'Pickens Paradox' for those trying to trace the lineage of the talented young wideout. This article dives deep into the biographies of both players, examines the evidence for and against a familial connection, and provides the most current understanding of their relationship.

George Pickens: Biography and Career Profile

George Malik Pickens Jr. is one of the NFL's most exciting young wide receivers, known for his acrobatic catches, impressive catch radius, and physical style of play. His journey from a top high school recruit to a key offensive weapon for the Pittsburgh Steelers is marked by high expectations and a dramatic comeback from a serious injury.

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• Full Name: George Malik Pickens Jr.
• Born: March 4, 2001
• Birthplace: Hoover, Alabama
• Nationality: American
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
• Position: Wide Receiver (WR)
• High School Career: Attended Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama, where he was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in the state.
• College Career: Played for the University of Georgia Bulldogs (2019–2021). His college career included a dramatic comeback from a torn ACL sustained in the spring of 2021, allowing him to play in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship victory.
• NFL Draft: Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
• NFL Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–Present)
• Key Attributes: Exceptional contested-catch ability, deep-threat speed, and strong route-running.

Carl Pickens: Biography and NFL Legacy

Carl McNally Pickens is a former professional wide receiver who was a dominant force in the NFL during the 1990s. His career is most closely associated with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he established himself as one of the league's premier deep-threat receivers.

• Full Name: Carl McNally Pickens
• Born: March 23, 1970
• Birthplace: Murphy, North Carolina
• Nationality: American
• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
• Position: Wide Receiver (WR) / Safety (College)
• College Career: Played for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, where he initially played safety before transitioning to wide receiver.
• NFL Draft: Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (3rd overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft.
• NFL Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1992–1999), Tennessee Titans (2000).
• Career Highlights and Awards: Two-time Pro Bowl selection (1995, 1996), First-team All-Pro (1995), and the NFL receiving touchdowns leader in 1995.
• Legacy: Known for his explosive speed and ability to stretch the field, he was a key figure in the Bengals' offense throughout the decade.

The Conflicting Reports: Is Carl Pickens George’s Father?

The core of the "Pickens Paradox" lies in the direct contradiction found in various reputable sports media reports. This confusion has persisted since George Pickens entered the NFL Draft in 2022.

The "Yes, They Are Related" Claim

Several major publications have, at various times, reported that Carl Pickens is indeed the biological father of George Pickens. A specific CBS News report, often cited by other outlets like Sportskeeda, made this assertion, stating that Carl is the father and noting his two-time Pro Bowl status with the Cincinnati Bengals. This claim offers a seemingly straightforward answer to the question, linking the Steelers' young star to the Bengals' former legend, thereby creating a compelling, though complicated, NFL lineage story.

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The "No, They Are Not Related" Claim

Conversely, a significant number of other sports news and fantasy football analysis sites explicitly state that there is no familial relationship between George Pickens and Carl Pickens, despite the shared name and the common position of wide receiver. These sources often emphasize that the shared surname is purely coincidental. One report from EssentiallySports, for instance, clarifies that Carl is not George's father and mentions that George Pickens Sr. is the name of the current player's father, though the identity of George's mother, Dee Humes, is also sometimes debated in public reports. The lack of a clear, public acknowledgment or family history record linking the two players supports the "no relation" argument.

Untangling the Pickens Paradox: The Current Consensus

Given the persistent and conflicting nature of the reports, the most accurate conclusion for fans and media is to acknowledge the ambiguity while leaning toward the most common and recently verified biographical details.

The fact that George Pickens has never publicly spoken about Carl Pickens as his father, and that his biographical information is often listed without any mention of the former Bengals star, strongly suggests that there is no direct, publicly acknowledged, or close familial relationship between George Pickens and Carl Pickens. The reports claiming a father-son relationship appear to be based on an unverified rumor that gained traction, possibly due to a single, high-profile media mention that was not universally fact-checked by all subsequent reporting. The most consistent biographical data points to George Pickens' parents being George Pickens Sr. and a mother whose identity is less public.

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For the purposes of topical authority and accuracy, the story remains a fascinating piece of NFL trivia. Two talented wide receivers with the same last name, who both played in the AFC and were drafted into the league, are not linked by blood, though they are forever linked by one of the league's most enduring and confusing family rumors. This situation serves as a perfect example of how an initial, unverified report can become a widely circulated "fact," even in the age of instant information.

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals will continue to debate the connection, but for now, the Pickens name represents two distinct and successful NFL careers—one a former Pro Bowl veteran and the other a rising star—each carving out his own legacy on the gridiron.