On Saturday, a youth camp was supposed to be held at Highmark Stadium featuring former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens through TruEdge Sports.It was a camp that Kiley Monro said her 16-year-old brother Ricky was looking forward to.”My mom, initially, she asked me if she thought it would be a good idea for him to get George Pickens tickets for his 16th birthday, and I said he always loved the Steelers, loved doing football as a kid and everything,” Monro said.However, according to emails to parents, organizers said that after initially committing to the camp, even after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens backed out.That email said in part: “Our team at TruEdge was fully prepared to host a camp this Saturday because we were led to believe George would follow through on his commitment. His sudden decision to back out not only reflects a disappointing lack of accountability but also shows a disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him. We are incredibly disappointed by his actions, and his actions do not express the goals or motives of TruEdge Sports.”The email would go on to say Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is stepping in for Pickens, and the camp has been moved to July 20 at Highmark Stadium. For some families, that may work, but Monro said they are unable to go to the make-up date because of a scheduled, unrefundable vacation.”He had more than four days to give the notice, and I wish that was the case, and I think it would have been better for everyone else to be able to go to the rescheduled date. But overall, he’s just really upset about it,” Monro said.Monro said overall, she is just disappointed. “He was one of my favorite Steelers players. Even when he got traded, I still really liked him. He was just very good overall,” Monro said. “But for what he did, I don’t even think I want to even cheer for him anymore. I’m just very disappointed.”I’m glad Pat stepped up — that was so nice, and the kids still have that opportunity. But overall, I’m just very disappointed how you did it four days before.”Monro said organizers did put their mother on a list to get their money back. The email also listed how TruEdge Sports is making up for the change of date and Pickens’ departure. It includes:Every camper will receive an autograph from all Steelers players present at no costFamilies that purchased autographs will be refundedPeople who bought a family experience will have the chance to get a refund or keep the add-on with multiple Steelers playersThe organization is also offering a 25% credit to any future TruEdge campPittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to TruEdge Sports for further comments, and we are waiting to hear back.
PITTSBURGH —
On Saturday, a youth camp was supposed to be held at Highmark Stadium featuring former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens through TruEdge Sports.
It was a camp that Kiley Monro said her 16-year-old brother Ricky was looking forward to.
“My mom, initially, she asked me if she thought it would be a good idea for him to get George Pickens tickets for his 16th birthday, and I said he always loved the Steelers, loved doing football as a kid and everything,” Monro said.
However, according to emails to parents, organizers said that after initially committing to the camp, even after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens backed out.
That email said in part:
“Our team at TruEdge was fully prepared to host a camp this Saturday because we were led to believe George would follow through on his commitment. His sudden decision to back out not only reflects a disappointing lack of accountability but also shows a disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him. We are incredibly disappointed by his actions, and his actions do not express the goals or motives of TruEdge Sports.”
The email would go on to say Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is stepping in for Pickens, and the camp has been moved to July 20 at Highmark Stadium.
For some families, that may work, but Monro said they are unable to go to the make-up date because of a scheduled, unrefundable vacation.
“He had more than four days to give the notice, and I wish that was the case, and I think it would have been better for everyone else to be able to go to the rescheduled date. But overall, he’s just really upset about it,” Monro said.
Monro said overall, she is just disappointed.
“He was one of my favorite Steelers players. Even when he got traded, I still really liked him. He was just very good overall,” Monro said. “But for what he did, I don’t even think I want to even cheer for him anymore. I’m just very disappointed.
“I’m glad Pat stepped up — that was so nice, and the kids still have that opportunity. But overall, I’m just very disappointed how you did it four days before.”
Monro said organizers did put their mother on a list to get their money back.
The email also listed how TruEdge Sports is making up for the change of date and Pickens’ departure. It includes:
Every camper will receive an autograph from all Steelers players present at no costFamilies that purchased autographs will be refundedPeople who bought a family experience will have the chance to get a refund or keep the add-on with multiple Steelers playersThe organization is also offering a 25% credit to any future TruEdge camp
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to TruEdge Sports for further comments, and we are waiting to hear back.