Well now, let me tell ya ’bout this feller, Carl Pickens. He’s a name I reckon some folks might remember, especially if you’ve been watchin’ football for a long time. Born on March 23, 1970, Carl Pickens was a wide receiver who played in the NFL for them Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans. He wasn’t no spring chicken when he started, but that didn’t stop him none.
Pickens come up from Tennessee, the University of Tennessee that is. He was a second-round pick in the 1992 NFL Draft, picked 31st overall by them Bengals. Now, I don’t know if it was his good looks or just his natural talent, but Carl Pickens, he made a name for himself right quick.
He made his NFL debut in the first week of the 1992 season, and boy, did he show ’em what he was made of! Not long after that, he was out there catchin’ passes like he was born to do it. I remember them games, and let me tell ya, this feller wasn’t just some rookie on the field. He was somethin’ special.
Over the nine seasons he played for the Bengals and Titans, he caught a total of 540 passes. That’s a whole lotta balls comin’ his way! And with them passes, he managed to rack up 7,129 yards. That’s a good chunk of ground, don’t you think? All that runnin’ and catchin’, he sure earned his keep. And let’s not forget them 64 touchdowns he scored. That’s a mighty fine number, especially for a wide receiver. He was out there workin’ his tail off, no doubt ’bout it.
Now, let’s talk about them Pro Bowls. Carl Pickens wasn’t just another player out there. Nope. He made it to two Pro Bowls during his career, which is no small feat, especially back then. Folks knew when he was on the field, and he made sure they didn’t forget him after the game was done.
Pickens had a big ol’ game once, back in 1995, when the Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. He racked up a career-high 204 yards from scrimmage in that game. Can you imagine? Two hundred and four yards! That’s a whole lotta runnin’ and catchin’ and makin’ the defense look silly. It was one of them games where you just knew, Pickens was the real deal.
And lemme tell ya, that man wasn’t afraid to talk big sometimes. I heard he even guaranteed a win before a game against the Green Bay Packers in 1998. Now, whether they won or lost that game, that’s somethin’ I can’t rightly recall, but you gotta admit, it takes a little bit of nerve to guarantee a win in front of all them folks. That’s the kind of confidence you need when you’re out there on the field with a bunch of big ol’ guys tryin’ to knock your head off.
Pickens’ career wasn’t all smooth sailin’, though. He had his ups and downs, like any player would, but one thing’s for sure: when he was on the field, he was a force to be reckoned with. He was one of them players you couldn’t ignore, and for them nine seasons, he sure gave the Bengals and Titans some good years.
Even after he hung up his cleats, folks still remember Carl Pickens. He made a big ol’ mark in the NFL, and while he ain’t playin’ no more, his name still gets brought up every now and then when folks talk about them good ol’ days of football.
Summary: Carl Pickens was a wide receiver who played nine seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft. Over his career, he caught 540 passes for 7,129 yards and scored 64 touchdowns. He was selected for two Pro Bowls and had a career-high 204 yards in one game against the Steelers. Pickens also won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and was known for his confidence, including guaranteeing a win against the Green Bay Packers in 1998.
Tags: [Carl Pickens, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Wide Receiver, Pro Bowls, Football Career, Offensive Rookie of the Year, NFL Stats, Sports History]
